title: The effectiveness and tolerance of betablockers in elderly patients (> or = 70 years) with heart failure.
abstract: The beta blockers (BB) being less prescribed in elderly patients (P) with heart failure (HF), the aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and tolerance of BB (meteoprolol, bisoprolol or carvedilol) given on the top of the conventional therapy in HF due to LV systolic dysfunction in P > or = 70 year (n=57, group 1) and < 70 year (n=101, group 2). Differences in baseline clinical characteristics between the 2 groups were not significant. The BB doses given in group 1 P was lower but the difference was significant for bisoprolol only. Intolerance to BB imposing withdrawal occurred in 12% of group 1 P and in 10% group 2 P (p>0.05). Symptomatic improvement expressed as a significant decreases in NYHA class was observed in both groups. Readmission for worsening HF was needed in 42% vs. 39% while 1 year mortality rate was 11.4% vs. 10.4% in group 1 and 2 P respectively (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BB are tolerated and seem to be effective in most elderly P with HF. Therefore, BB should be tried in all HF P without contraindication irrespective of age.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, City Hospital, Timişoara, Romania.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cristodorescu
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Darabantiu
authors.forename: Ruxandra M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Christodorescu
authors.forename: Mirela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomescu
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lighezan
authors.forename: Florica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pascu
authors.forename: I D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Branea
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004232:Diuretics