title: Beta-blockers in chronic heart failure: considerations for selecting an agent.
abstract: Patients with chronic heart failure have increased sympathetic nervous system activity that contributes to deterioration of cardiovascular function over time. Long-term beta-blocker therapy prevents such deterioration through inhibition of this neurohormonal pathway. The impressive survival data collected from several large studies have made beta-blockers a component of standard therapy for New York Heart Association class II to III heart failure. Although there are differences in the pharmacological properties of the beta-blockers shown to improve morbidity and mortality in heart failure, there is little evidence to suggest that such properties constitute any major advantages in clinical outcome. Carvedilol and extended-release metoprolol succinate are 2 beta-blockers currently approved in the United States for the treatment of patients with heart failure. Both agents have shown similar risk reductions in overall and cause-specific mortality; however, no outcome data from a comparative trial are available to support the use of one agent over the other. Regardless of the agent chosen, appropriate dosing and titration of beta-blockers are essential for successful therapy.
authors.affiliation: The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA. marrick.kukin@msnyuhealth.org
authors.forename: Marrick L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Kukin
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists