Perspective on the role of four beta-blockers in heart failure

Author(s):  
Asim Ahmed Elnour Ahmed

Background: The current recommendations of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and a previous Bayesian analysis clearly show a mortality benefit with the use of β- blockers in chronic HF, especially for bisoprolol, carvedilol, and sustained-release metoprolol succinate. Objective: The main objective was to report the evidence on the use of the afore-mentioned β-blockers in subjects with heart failure and to characterize the stages of heart failure in response to the four different β-blockers. Furthermore, it shed light on the patient’s satisfaction and improved quality of life using the afore-mentioned β-blockers in subjects with heart failure. Method: The current perspective presented the clinical outcomes, including hospitalization, morbidity, mortality, patient’s satisfaction, and quality of life, of four beta (β)-blockers, namely bisoprolol, carvedilol, metoprolol succinate, and nebivolol in different stages of heart failure. Results : The use of these three agents should be recommended for all stable subjects with current or previous symptoms of heart failure and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction unless there is any contraindication. The fore-mentioned β-blockers (bisoprolol, carvedilol, and metoprolol succinate) can be initiated early, even in stable and symptom-free (at rest) subjects with heart failure. β-blockers in heart failure should be commenced at small doses and then titrated upward as tolerated to achieve the desired clinical effects on heart rate and symptom control. Conclusion: Cardiologists should weigh the benefit-risk in subjects with heart failure and other co-existing cardiovascular problems such as atrial fibrillation and diabetes.

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-45
Author(s):  
Chandra Mani Adhikari

Heart failure, a major public health problem is associated with high mortality, poor quality of life, and frequent hospitalization. It is a complex syndrome characterized by neurohumoral activation. Activation of sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in its pathogenesis. Randomized trials have show that β-blockers reduce mortality, hospitalization and improves quality of life. One of the three β-blockers (i.e., bisoprolol, carvedilol, and sustained-release metoprolol succinate) is recommended for all patients with current or prior symptoms of Heart Failure, unless contraindicated, to reduce morbidity and mortality. β-blockers are underused in patients with heart failure. If a patient is considered suitable for β-blocker therapy, a careful initiation and gradual increases of β-blocker dose are crucial to avoid clinical deterioration. Initiating the Angiotensin Conventing Enzyme inhibitor first is traditional but studies have proven similar safety with a β-blocker-first strategy. Emerging evidence suggests that the order of initial ACEI or β-blocker therapy may not matter. Nepalese Heart Journal | Volume 10 | No.1 | November 2013| Pages 38-45 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njh.v10i1.9746


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Evdokimov ◽  
E Yushchuk ◽  
A Evdokimova ◽  
S Ivanova ◽  
I Sadulaeva

Abstract Purpose To compare clinical efficacy and safety of various treatment regimens with the inclusion of beta-blockers, RAAS antagonists (ACE inhibitors or ARBs), prolonged bronchodilators (LABA, LAMA) in heart failure patients with CAD and COPD. Methods 385 patients (292 men and 93 women), aged 66.3±4.1 years, with CHF classes II to III (NYHA) combined with moderate to severe COPD (GOLD) and with LVEF less than 45% were randomized into nine groups: enalapril + LAMA (control group), nebivolol + enalapril + LAMA, nebivolol + losartan + LAMA, nebivolol + losartan + LABA, nebivolol + losartan + LAMA/LABA, carvedilol + enalapril + LAMA, carvedilol + losartan + LAMA, carvedilol + losartan + LABA, carvedilol + losartan + LAMA/LABA. Patients of all groups received complex CHF treatment comprising diuretics, nitrates, cardiac glycosides (if necessary). Clinical examination, TTE, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), 24-hour electrocardiogram and blood pressure monitoring, respiratory function test were assessed at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. The quality of life was evaluated by MYHFQ, SGRQ and mMRC scale. Results After 6 months of therapy the improvement of clinical condition and quality of life were marked in all groups. At the end of observation period there was a significant improvement of patients clinical condition, quality of life, reduction of mean CHF FC and dyspnea severity, increase of exercise tolerance, slowing of progression of CHF and COPD, improvement of the parameters of intracardiac hemodynamics, structural and functional parameters of the left and right heart (a decrease in the size of the atria, LV volumes and internal dimension at end-diastole and end-systole, cardiac index, LVMMI, an increase of LVEF, a significant decrease in systemic vascular resistance and the pulmonary hypertension grade, significant improvement in systolic and diastolic function of the ventricles, regression of pathological remodeling of the heart, reduction of heart rate, duration and frequency of myocardial ischemia episodes (including its “silent” form). The best results were obtained in groups using a beta-blocker (nebivolol or carvedilol), a RAAS antagonist, and a combination of long-acting bronchodilators (indacaterol and tiotropium) – group 5 and 9. It is worth noting that beta-blockers, LABA and LAMA were well tolerated in all observation groups and serious adverse events were absent. Conclusions The appointment of 3-generation beta-blockers to patients with CHF on the background of CAD and COPD can significantly increase the effectiveness of treatment and does not cause a deterioration in spirometry in patients with such cardiopulmonary pathology. In our opinion, the most important point in the appointment of beta blockers to patients with moderate to severe COPD is low start dose and slow titration of the dose at the beginning of the therapy. It is advisable to include in the complex therapy of such patients a combination of LABA and LAMA as a basic bronchodilator support. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


ESC CardioMed ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 1881-1884
Author(s):  
Eric Velazquez ◽  
Mark C. Petrie

Although coronary artery disease is the most common cause of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the role of revascularization as a treatment strategy to improve survival, reduce morbidity, and enhance the quality of life has only begun to be investigated in recent years. To date, a sole randomized controlled clinical trial has been completed. This chapter summarizes what is currently known and what is unknown with respect to revascularization for the treatment of HFrEF.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e053216
Author(s):  
Raül Rubio ◽  
Beatriz Palacios ◽  
Luis Varela ◽  
Raquel Fernández ◽  
Selene Camargo Correa ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo gather insights on the disease experience of patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and assess how patients’ experiences and narratives related to the disease complement data collected through standardised patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Also, to explore new ways of evaluating the burden experienced by patients and caregivers.DesignObservational, descriptive, multicentre, cross-sectional, mixed-methods study.SettingSecondary care, patient’s homes.ParticipantsTwenty patients with HFrEF (New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification I–III) aged 38–85 years.MeasuresPROMs EuroQoL 5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L) and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and patient interview and observation.ResultsA total of 20 patients with HFrEF participated in the study. The patients’ mean (SD) age was 72.5 (11.4) years, 65% were male and were classified inNYHA functional classes I (n=4), II (n=7) and III (n=9). The study showed a strong impact of HF in the patients’ quality of life (QoL) and disease experience, as revealed by the standardised PROMs (EQ-5D-5L global index=0.64 (0.36); Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire total symptom score=71.56 (20.55)) and the in-depth interviews. Patients and caregivers often disagreed describing and evaluating perceived QoL, as patients downplayed their limitations and caregivers overemphasised the poor QoL of the patients. Patients related current QoL to distant life experiences or to critical moments in their disease, such as hospitalisations. Anxiety over the disease progression is apparent in both patients and caregivers, suggesting that caregiver-specific tools should be developed.ConclusionsPROMs are an effective way of assessing symptoms over the most recent time period. However, especially in chronic diseases such as HFrEF, PROM scores could be complemented with additional tools to gain a better understanding of the patient’s status. New PROMs designed to evaluate and compare specific points in the life of the patient could be clinically more useful to assess changes in health status.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nariman Sepehrvand ◽  
Anamaria Savu ◽  
John A. Spertus ◽  
Jason R. B. Dyck ◽  
Todd Anderson ◽  
...  

Background Improving health‐related quality of life is an important goal in the management of patients with heart failure (HF). Defining health‐related quality of life changes over time in patients with HF with preserved (HFpEF) or reduced ejection fraction and showing their association with other important clinical events could support the use of health‐related quality of life as a measure of quantifying HF care. Methods and Results In the Alberta HEART (Heart Failure Aetiology and Analysis Team) cohort (n=621), patients were categorized into 4 subgroups: healthy controls (n=98), at risk (n=163), HFpEF (n=191), and HF with reduced ejection fraction (n=169). The change of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), EuroQOL 5 dimensions, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Anemia over 12 months, and its association with a composite of death or rehospitalization within 3 years were assessed. At baseline, the KCCQ overall summary score was 73 (interquartile range, 53–86) in HFpEF and 78 (interquartile range, 56–90) in HF with reduced ejection fraction ( P =0.22). Overall, 30.5% of patients with HF experienced ≥5‐point improvements and 32.4% had ≥5‐point worsening in KCCQ overall summary score at 12 months, which did not differ between HFpEF and HF with reduced ejection fraction ( P =0.23). Clinical events were higher in patients with HF who had a decline in KCCQ over 12 months as compared with those with stable KCCQ scores (70.2% versus 52.0%, P =0.012). The results were similar for the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Anemia and EuroQOL 5 dimensions. Conclusions In patients with HF, the KCCQ quantified clinically meaningful changes over time, which were associated with important clinical outcomes in patients with HFpEF. Given the observed variability and prognostication in different patient trajectories, health‐related quality of life measures could be valuable for quantifying the quality of care in healthcare systems.


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