Possibilities and limitations of the use of beta-blockers in patients with cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

In medical literature, increasing attention is paid to comorbidities in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In clinical practice, physicians often hesitate to prescribe beta-blockers (β1-adrenoblockers) to COPD patients. This article summarized new results of using beta-blockers in patients with COPD. According to reports, the selective β1-blocker treatment considerably increases the survival rate of patients with COPD and ischemic heart disease, particularly after myocardial infarction (MI), and with chronic heart failure (CHF). The benefit of administering selective β1-blockers to patients with CHF and/or a history of MI overweighs a potential risk related with the treatment even in patients with severe COPD. Convincing data in favor of the β1-blocker treatment in COPD patients without the above-mentioned comorbidities are not available. At present, the selective β1-blocker treatment is considered safe for patients with cardiovascular diseases and COPD. For this reason, selective β1-blockers, such as bisoprolol, metoprolol or nebivolol can be used in managing this patient cohort. Nonselective β1-blockers may induce bronchospasm and are not recommended for COPD patients. For the treatment with β-blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, the probability of bronchial obstruction in COPD patients is lower; however, drugs of this pharmaceutical group have not been compared with cardioselective beta-blockers. For safety reasons, the beta-blocker treatment should be started outside exacerbation of COPD and from a small dose. Careful monitoring is recommended for possible new symptoms, such as emergence/increase of shortness of breath, cough or changes in dosing of other drugs (for example, increased frequency of using short-acting bronchodilators).

Optimal dosage of β-blockers using metoprolol CR/XL as an example – what, for whom and when?

Metoprolol, a highly cardioselective β-blocker without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, continues to play an important role in current treatment guidelines for hypertension, chronic heart failure, and coronary artery disease. Experts pay special attention to its modern, slow-release pharmaceutical form in the form of succinate, thoroughly tested in a number of clinical trials. Metoprolol succinate can be used in a single daily dose which ensures high compliance. The paper presents typical clinical scenarios in which appropriately dosed metoprolol CR/XL should be used. It should be emphasized that metoprolol CR/XL has the most registration indications among all the original β-blockers.

A comparative study of effects of nebivolol and atenolol on blood pressure and lipid profile in patients of mild to moderate hypertension

Background: Beta blockers have been used in the treatment of hypertension, since last four decades and are widely accepted as the first-line treatment for hypertension. Nebivolol, a third generation β-blocker has highest β1 selectivity and is devoid of intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. Along with peripheral vasodilatation and nitric oxide (NO)-induced benefits such as antioxidant activity and reversal of endothelial dysfunction, nebivolol promotes better protection from cardiovascular events. The objective of the study was to compare the effects of atenolol and nebivolol on both blood pressure and lipid profile in patients of mild to moderate hypertension.Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, parallel, open labelled study. Patients were recruited from the medicine out-patient department (OPD) and cardiology OPD. A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the study. 50 patients were allocated to atenolol group and 50 patients to nebivolol group. BP and baseline investigations such as lipid profile were performed. Tests to determine lipid profile were performed on the first visit (Week 0) and at 24 weeks. Continuous variables between the two treatment groups were analyzed by unpaired t-test. Efficacy endpoints within the group were analyzed by using paired t-test.Results: All the lipid levels except HDL-C were increased with atenolol therapy. At 24 weeks, atenolol therapy led to increase in LDL-C, VLDL-C, TC and TG which was highly significant (p<0.0001). HDL levels were decreased at 24 weeks which was also statistically highly significant (p<0.0001). The mean values of lipids in nebivolol group at baseline and at 24 weeks. At 24 weeks, nebivolol therapy led to changes in LDL-C, VLDL-C, HDL-C, TC and TG which was not statistically significant (p>0.05).Conclusions: From study it can be concluded that atenolol and nebivolol are equally effective in reducing BP but atenolol worsens lipid profile as compared to nebivolol.

Evaluating of the effectiveness and safety of the reproduced selective β1-blocker without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity Bidop® in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The article assesses the effectiveness of therapy generics Bidop® production of Gedeon Richter (Hungary), designated to improve diastolic function, and treatment of heart failureof patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with predominant hypertrophy of the interventricular septum and symmetrical concentric shape in the absence of obstruction of outflow tract of the left ventricle (LV). The effect of the presence of zones of intramyocardial fibrosis hypertrophied LV departments identified through MRI delayed contrast, to the process of active relaxation.