Treatment of heart failure with beta-blockers. Mechanisms and results

Abstract

Sympathetic activation is a significant predictor of a poor prognosis in heart failure. Excessive stimulation with norepinephrine produces apoptosis, tachycardia and arrhythmias thereby leading to progression of left ventricular dysfunction and worsening of outcome. Beta-blockers reduce morbidity and improve cardiac function. They have been shown to improve survival (MERIT-HF, CIBIS II and US-Carvedilol Trials). A careful uptitration of dosages is achievable with a low rate of side effects. The mechanism of beta-blocker effects in heart failure are cardiac protection from beta1-adrenoceptor overstimulation, antiarrhythmic effects, reduction in heart rate and positive energetic effects or a combination thereof.