title: [Beta-adrenoceptor antagonists in the treatment of chronic heart failure].
abstract: Beta-Adrenoceptor antagonists in the treatment of chronic heart failure The incidence of chronic heart failure is high in the developed countries (1-4/1000 per year). Treatment of chronic heart failure is a therapeutic challenge. A great improvement in mortality and morbidity of heart failure patients was achieved by the introduction of beta-adrenoceptor blockers in the treatment of chronic heart failure. However only 39% of heart failure patients are treated with a beta-adrenoceptor blocker in Europe. This review outlines pathophysiology of the beta-adrenergic system during human heart failure and its alterations induced by beta-adrenoceptor blockade. Based on the results of large clinical trials, experimental-pharmacological properties of beta-adrenoceptor blockers as well as the main aspects of its clinical use are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Labor für Herzmuskelphysiologie und Molekulare Kardiologie, Klinik III für Innere Medizin der Universität zu Köln, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bundkirchen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brixius
authors.forename: R H G
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Schwinger
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta