Effect of Liver Function on β-Blocker Kinetics

The role of the liver on the kinetics of β-blockers metabolised by hepatic enzyme systems (propranolol) or eliminated unchanged (atenolol and sotalol) was investigated in 55 patients with diagnostic liver biopsy, who also required β-blockers for cardiovascular diseases. Microsomal enzyme activity assay in vivo (antipyrine) and in vitro (cytochrome P-450 content), and conventional liver tests were used to reflect liver function in subjects classified by histology.