title: Deactivation of the sympathetic nervous system in patients with chronic congestive heart failure.
abstract: In this article, we review the basic biology, signal transduction pathways, and clinical pharmacology associated with cardiac beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-ARs) in the context of the use of beta-blocking agents in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. Adrenergic receptors, particularly the beta-AR subtypes (beta(1)-AR and beta(2)-AR), are known to play a critical role in the modulation of cardiac function, providing for both "adaptive" and "maladaptive" compensatory changes. In the context of exercise or self-preservation, the adrenergic nervous system, acting via beta-ARs permits an appropriately rapid, highly-dynamic increase in cardiac function. Conversely, in individuals with chronic congestive heart failure, the sustained, heightened activation of adrenergic nervous system, as manifested by increases in circulating catecholamines, results in down- regulation and desensitization of myocardial beta-ARs, and potentially, significant myocardial damage. A number of recent clinical trials have demonstrated a marked mortality benefit from using beta-blocking agents such as metoprolol and carvedilol in patients with heart failure. The pharmacologic properties of several of these drugs and some of the specifics of their usefulness and limitations are discussed herein.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology 4A-100, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 50 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. edward.gilbert@hsc.utah.edu
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Port
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077261:Carvedilol; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008790:Metoprolol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002227:Carbazoles; D011412:Propanolamines; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D000077261:Carvedilol; D008790:Metoprolol