The effects of β-blockers in patients with stable chronic heart failure. Predictors of left ventricular ejection fraction improvement and impact on prognosis

Background Previous studies, with limited number of patients, have tried to determine the predictors of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improvement after beta-blockade. No study has demonstrated that LVEF improvement was an independent predictor of cardiac survival. Methods The aims of the study were to determine in a large group of patients with stable chronic heart failure associated with reduced LVEF the predictors of LVEF improvement (difference in LVEF [δLVEF], ie, the value after β-blockade minus the value before β-blockade) after beta-blockade and to analyze prognostic impact of δLVEF. Three hundred fourteen consecutive patients underwent an echocardiogram, a radionuclide angiogram, and a maximum cardiopulmonary exercise test before and 3 months after maximal tolerated doses of β-blockers have been reached. Results After beta-blockade, LVEF improved from 30% ± 11% to 40% ± 13%. In the whole population, independent predictors of δLVEF were nonischemic etiology, baseline LVEF (negative correlation), and baseline heart rate (positive correlation). In ischemic patients, independent predictors of δLVEF were absence of history of myocardial infarction, baseline heart rate, and baseline LVEF; whereas in nonischemic patients, independent predictors were baseline LVEF and baseline QRS width (negative correlation). After 1082 days of follow-up, there were 53 cardiovascular deaths and 2 urgent transplantations. Left ventricular ejection fraction improvement (defined as an absolute increase in LVEF >5%) was an independent predictor of cardiac survival. Patients who had an LVEF ≤45% after beta-blockade with a δLVEF ≤5% represented a high-risk subgroup. Conclusions In patients with chronic heart failure, predictors of LVEF improvement after beta-blockade were different according to etiology. Left ventricular ejection fraction improvement was an independent predictor of cardiac survival.