title: Effect of bisoprolol on right ventricular function and brain natriuretic peptide in patients with heart failure.
abstract: Beta-blocker use improves left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with heart failure. A similar effect of b blockers on right ventricular function has been proposed, although the effect of bisoprolol, a highly selective b-1 blocker, on right ventricular function has not been assessed. This study investigated the short-term effect of bisoprolol on right ventricular function in chronic heart failure patients. A cohort of 30 heart failure patients who were not taking b blockers at baseline was studied prospectively. Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) and LVEF were measured at both baseline and 4 months by radionuclide angiography. Bisoprolol was up-titrated during four monthly visits by a preestablished protocol to a target dose of 10 mg/d. The dose of vasodilators was not changed. Quality of life and brain natriuretic peptide level were assessed. Mean age was 62.7+/-14.3 years. Baseline RVEF was 30.7%+/-6.3% and baseline LVEF was 21.7%+/-9.4%. Mean bisoprolol dose reached was 5.3+/-3.9 mg daily. At 4 months, RVEF significantly increased by 7.1% (95% confidence interval, 3.9-10.2; p=0.0001) and LVEF also increased significantly by 7.9% (95% confidence interval, 4.0%-11.9%; p=0.0003). Quality-of-life score improved from 42.8 to 30.8 (p=0.047). No correlation was found between brain natriuretic peptide levels and RVEF. Bisoprolol treatment for 4 months resulted in a significant improvement of RVEF, which paralleled the improvement of LVEF.
authors.affiliation: University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Luís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beck-da-Silva
authors.forename: Adolfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Bold
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Terrence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ruddy
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Struthers
authors.forename: Haissam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haddad
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D017298:Bisoprolol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D017298:Bisoprolol