title: Changes in body composition in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction initiated on beta-blocker therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increasing body mass index, cholesterol and body fat are associated with a better prognosis in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Beta-blocker usage is associated with changes in body composition and increased body fat. The present study investigated 12-month changes in body composition in patients with LVSD initiated on beta-blocker therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The relation between beta-blocker use and body composition was evaluated in 91 patients (75% male) with LVSD. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen patients died during the study period. There was no statistical difference among beta-blocker usage, beta-blocker type, or changes in body fat, basal metabolic rate, impedance, fat-free mass, fat mass and total body water. There were no significant differences between any of these measures and beta-blocker usage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After 12 months, changes in body composition were not found to be influenced by initiation of beta-blocker therapy in patients with LVSD.
authors.affiliation: Carnegie Research Institute, Leeds Metropolitan University, Beckett's Park Campus, Leeds.
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ingle
authors.forename: Alan S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rigby
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Butterly
authors.forename: Rod F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Carlton B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.forename: John Gjf
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Cleland
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Clark