title: Beta-blockers in left ventricular systolic dysfunction--from evidence to practice.
abstract: Five percent of all hospital medical admissions are patients with heart failure. The incidence is about one new case per 1000 of the general population per year, increasing to >10 per 1000 in those aged >or=85 years. Although the evidence that beta-blockers reduce mortality by about 36% when added to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is overwhelming, clinicians are still reluctant to use beta-blockers in heart failure, especially in older patients. Here, we examine the evidence for the use of beta-blockers in heart failure in older people and explore the practicalities of their use.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Geriatric Medicine, Llandough Hospital, Penlan Road, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan CF64 2XX, UK.
authors.forename: Syamasis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bandyopadhyay
authors.forename: M Sinead
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: O'Mahony
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors