[Beta-blockers and obstructive pulmonary diseases: such an odd couple?].
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a frequent medical condition, mainly triggered by smoking. COPD patients often suffer from heart diseases that can benefit from beta-blocker therapy. However, fear from triggering latent bronchospasm, or from worsening it, leads to under-prescription of these agents. Adequate patient selection is, thus, crucial. Prescription of a cardio-selective beta-blocker is not only reasonably safe in stable COPD patients but it is also beneficial in terms of mortality in those patients with comorbid cardiac diseases. Use of beta-blockers is contra-indicated in the case of decompensated COPD with severe bronchospasm or in poorly controlled asthma. In all cases, close clinical and, sometimes, functional monitoring is mandatory.
Grosgurin
O
O
Département de médecine interne, Service de médecine interne générale, HUG, Genève. olivier.grosgurin@hcuge.ch
Bria
A
A
Gaspoz
J M
JM
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000075202:Contraindications; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists