Bisoprolol for congestive heart failure.
BACKGROUND
beta-Blockers are a cornerstone in the treatment of systolic heart failure treatment, but not all beta-blockers are effective or in this setting.


OBJECTIVE
To define the role of bisoprolol, a highly selective beta(1)-antagonist in congestive heart failure due to systolic dysfunction.


METHODS
Using the keywords 'bisoprolol' and 'heart failure' PubMed and BIOSIS databases were searched for information regarding pharmacology and relevant randomised clinical trials. Supplementary publications were acquired by scrutinising reference lists of relevant papers. Additional information was obtained from the FDA website.


CONCLUSIONS
Bisoprolol is an effective and well-tolerated first-line beta-blocker for patients with systolic heart failure. The knowledge is primarily based on study patients with moderate-to-severe heart failure from the three CIBIS trials.
Rosenberg
Jens
J
Research Fellow Frederiksberg University Hospital, Cardiology Department, Nordre Fasanvej 57-59, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark. cor@dadlnet.dk
Gustafsson
Finn
F
D000818:Animals; D017298:Bisoprolol / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods
D017298:Bisoprolol