cardioselectivity

Cardioselectivity refers to the property of a drug or other substance to preferentially interact with specific receptors or targets within the heart, while having a reduced effect on other receptors or targets in different parts of the body. This selectivity is crucial in pharmacology as it allows for the development of drugs that can exert their desired therapeutic effect with fewer unwanted side effects.

For instance, some beta-blockers are described as cardioselective because they primarily block beta-1 adrenergic receptors, which are predominantly found in the heart. This blockade leads to a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure, beneficial for treating conditions like hypertension and angina. Non-selective beta-blockers, on the other hand, affect both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors. While beta-2 receptors are found in the lungs and blood vessels, blocking them can lead to bronchoconstriction and peripheral vasoconstriction, causing side effects like wheezing in asthmatic patients or cold extremities.

The degree of cardioselectivity can vary between drugs within the same class. While a highly cardioselective drug shows a strong preference for its target receptor, it may still interact with other receptors at higher doses. Understanding cardioselectivity is essential for optimizing drug therapy, predicting potential adverse reactions, and designing new medications with improved therapeutic profiles. This concept applies not only to beta-blockers but also to other drug classes that target specific receptor subtypes.