title: Beta adrenergic blockade in the treatment of sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
abstract: The value of beta-blockers as antiarrhythmic drugs in patients with sustained VT or VF has received only little attention. This article summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the identification of patients with sustained VT or VF with the highest benefit of beta-blockade. The antiarrhythmic mechanisms of beta-blockade and its efficacy as single or adjuvant therapy in patients with sustained VT or VF are reviewed. Current insights into the effects of beta-blockade in patients suffering from VT, in particular in the setting of heart failure, are discussed and future directions are considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Wiesfeld
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Crijns
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Tuininga
authors.forename: K I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Lie
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents