Influence of cardiopulmonary bypass on the plasma concentrations of atenolol.

Background: Betablockers are used in the treatment of angina pectoris and others ischemic coronary diseases, reducing mortality and cardiovascular events. Atenolol is a hydrophilic betablocker which is characterized by gastrointestinal absorption, small extent of distribution and renal function-dependent elimination.

Objective: The study objective was to determine the inter-individual variability of atenolol in coronary patients.