A rationale for the use of β-blockers as standard treatment for heart failure

Background Cardiac sympathetic activation is one of the major and earlier changes observed in patients with heart failure. Its relation to the severity of the disease and its independent prognostic value show that it may directly contribute to the progression of heart failure. β-Blockers are the most effective tool to counteract the untoward effects of sympathetic activation on the cardiovascular system. Methods and Results We reviewed the results of the placebo-controlled, double-blind studies about the effects of β-blockers in patients with heart failure. These studies have involved almost 10,000 patients to date and have consistently shown that the long-term administration of β-blockers is associated with a highly significant improvement in both left ventricular function and prognosis of the patients with heart failure. The evidence supporting the use of ν-blockers now equals or even surpasses that of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; therefore β-blockers should be considered part of standard therapy. Issues that remain unclarified include the mechanisms through which β-blockers may improve cardiac function and their tolerability and efficacy in specific groups of patients (such as those with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction, severe heart failure, the elderly, or those with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction). It is not currently clear whether the pharmacologic differences between indvidual β-blockers are clinically relevant. If they are, the potential for even greater benefit with certain agents exists. It is hoped that these issues will be clarified by the results of ongoing multicenter trials.