Nonselective beta-adrenergic blockade with carvedilol does not hinder the benefits of exercise training in patients with congestive heart failure.
BACKGROUND
Long-term beta-adrenergic blockade does not appear to be associated with drug-induced training in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF); whether exercise training can increase peak aerobic capacity in patients with CHF who are treated with beta-adrenergic blockers is currently unknown.


RESULTS
We studied 23 patients with CHF who were treated with carvedilol or propranolol in addition to ACE inhibitors, furosemide, and digoxin. Of the patients treated with carvedilol, 8 underwent exercise training and 8 remained sedentary. All 7 patients treated with propranolol underwent exercise training. Peak oxygen consumption (mL.kg-1.min-1) was serially measured in trained and sedentary patients. Peak reactive hyperemia (mL.min-1.100 mL-1) was determined in the calf and forearm immediately before and after 12 weeks of training. The peak oxygen consumption of trained patients treated with either carvedilol or propranolol increased from 12.9 +/- 1.4 to 16.0 +/- 1.6 (P < .001) and 12.4 +/- 1.0 to 15.7 +/- 0.9 (P < .001) mL.kg-1.min-1, respectively, whereas it did not change in the sedentary patients. Peak reactive hyperemia increased significantly in the calves but not the forearms of trained patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term, nonselective beta-adrenergic blockade with carvedilol or propranolol does not prevent patients with CHF from deriving systemic and regional benefits from physical training.
Demopoulos
L
L
Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
Yeh
M
M
Gentilucci
M
M
Testa
M
M
Bijou
R
R
Katz
S D
SD
Mancini
D
D
Jones
M
M
LeJemtel
T H
TH
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects*; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000332:Aerobiosis; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077261:Carvedilol; D004077:Digoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D005665:Furosemide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000209:etiology; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects*; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000502:physiology
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002227:Carbazoles; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D011412:Propanolamines; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D000077261:Carvedilol; D004077:Digoxin; D005665:Furosemide; D011433:Propranolol