Abstract
Although beta-adrenergic blocking agents are not always considered anti-arrhythmic drugs, the results of several recent trials have suggested an anti-arrhythmic mechanism for at least part of their mortality benefit in the treatment of chronic congestive heart failure. We review background experimental and clinical evidence for the anti-arrhythmic actions of beta-blockers and then review the results of published beta-blocker heart failure trials. A majority of trials showed improvement in overall survival as well as reduction in sudden death and ventricular arrhythmias with beta-blocker treatment. Although different effects were seen with different specific agents, these trials overall support a clinically significant anti-arrhythmic effect of several beta-blockers.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 139-147 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Heart Failure Reviews |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 1 2004 |
Keywords
- Adrenergic beta-antagonists
- Anti-arrhythmia agents
- Cardiac
- Death
- Sudden
- Tachycardia
- Ventricular
- Ventricular fibrillation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine