The use of carvedilol in pediatric heart failure.
Chronic congestive heart failure has become a significant medical burden in the adult and a growing problem in the pediatric age group. While the etiologies of heart failure differ between children and adults, applied medical therapies are generally the same. In this regard, over the last decade, beta-adrenergic receptor blockade has become an important component in drug therapy of congestive heart failure in the adult population. A third-generation beta-blocker, carvedilol, has now been shown in adult trials to be efficacious in the treatment of heart failure and has been shown to be superior to other similarly used beta-blockers. Carvedilol use has been adapted into pediatric heart failure practice although data supporting its efficacy in infants and children are scarce. This review will describe the application of carvedilol in the adult, as it pertains to pediatric practice, review the existing pediatric literature and describe our institution's experience with carvedilol in heart failure therapy.
Greenway
S C
SC
The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.
Benson
L N
LN
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077261:Carvedilol; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002227:Carbazoles; D011412:Propanolamines; D000077261:Carvedilol