Can intravenous beta blockade predict long-term haemodynamic benefit in chronic congestive heart failure secondary to ischaemic heart disease? A comparison between intravenous and oral carvedilol.
Several studies in the past have shown the long-term beneficial effects of beta-blockers in congestive heart failure. Despite the interest in this mode of therapy, their clinical application has been limited due to their negative inotropic effect. A subset of the heart failure patients do not show any improvements with standard beta-blocker therapy. Carvedilol, a new, non-selective beta-blocking agent with concurrent alpha-blocking properties, was evaluated in 17 patients with chronic heart failure secondary to ischaemic heart disease. All had resting left ventricular ejection fraction less than or equal to 45% and were maintained on diuretic therapy. Acute haemodynamic measurements were made after intravenous carvedilol (2.5-7.5 mg) and also after chronic therapy for 8 weeks (carvedilol 12.5-50 mg b.d.). Radionuclide ventriculography, ambulatory intra-arterial blood pressure monitoring and right heart catheterization were performed before and after 8 weeks of chronic therapy. Twelve patients completed the study and 5 were withdrawn. Symptomatic and haemodynamic improvement was demonstrated in 11 of the 12 patients after 8 weeks of therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
DasGupta
P
P
Department of Cardiology, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex.
Lahiri
A
A
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077261:Carvedilol; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002227:Carbazoles; D011412:Propanolamines; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000077261:Carvedilol