Effect of nebivolol on left ventricular function in patients with chronic heart failure: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Sympathetic activity is a significant predictor of a poor prognosis in heart failure. Beta-blockers have been shown to improve the prognosis of patients with heart failure.


OBJECTIVE
This pilot study examined the tolerability and efficacy of the new beta-blocker nebivolol on left ventricular function in patients with chronic heart failure.


RESULTS
Twelve patients with an ejection fraction of 13-39% were included in this double blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of nebivolol administered in addition to standard therapy. Exercise time, heart rate, left ventricular function and tolerability were examined at baseline and after 3 months of orally administered nebivolol (2.5 and 5 mg, n = 6) or placebo (n = 6). Nebivolol was well tolerated and the NYHA class improved in four patients. Heart rate decreased while the maximal exercise duration and performance remained stable. Left ventricular function increased (ejection fraction 31.5 +/- 10.11 to 42.0 +/- 10.99%, P < or = 0.01) after 12 weeks of nebivolol. The left ventricular end-systolic diameter decreased in the nebivolol-group from 56.5 +/- 9.40 to 50.2 +/- 9.43 mm (P < or = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that nebivolol might improve cardiac function in patients with reduced left ventricular function.
Brehm
Bernhard R
BR
Medizinische Klinik III, Otfried-Müllerstr 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. bernhard.brehm@onlinehome.de
Wolf
Sabine C
SC
Görner
Sandra
S
Buck-Müller
Nina
N
Risler
Teut
T
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068577:Nebivolol; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001578:Benzopyrans; D004983:Ethanolamines; D000068577:Nebivolol