title: Beta-blockers for preventing sudden cardiac death.
abstract: Out-of-hospital sudden cardiac death occurs in approximately 300,000 individuals each year in the United States, a total that represents about half of all annual deaths from coronary heart disease. Beta-blockers were the first class of drugs investigated for the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest because of their ability to reduce ventricular arrhythmias. Numerous randomized, controlled trials have now established the importance of beta-blockade in preventing sudden cardiac death. Clinical evidence reveals the association between beta-blockade and improved survival, and trials explore the role for beta-blockers in the prevention of sudden cardiac death.
authors: Division of Cardiovascular Research, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. tgiles@lsuhsc.edu
authors: Thomas D
authors: TD
authors: Giles
authors: Jan N
authors: JN
authors: Basile
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists