BACKGROUND Current guidelines on perioperative care recommend the prophylactic use of β blockers in high-risk patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. However, recent studies show that, in some instances, perioperative β blockade can cause harm. Furthermore, chronic β blockade, titrated to effect before surgery, may be superior to acute perioperative β blockade. The primary objective of this stu...

INTRODUCTION Results of microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) studies vary and may be influenced by whether beta-blocker therapy was withheld prior to MTWA assessment. We conducted a meta-analysis of the predictive value of MTWA screening for ventricular arrhythmic events in primary prevention patients with left ventricular dysfunction and examined whether results differed depending upon whether be...

BACKGROUND In EMPHASIS-HF (Eplerenone in Mild Patients Hospitalization and Survival Study in Heart Failure), eplerenone significantly reduced major cardiovascular events versus placebo in 2737 patients with mild symptoms of heart failure and an ejection fraction of <35%, in addition to recommended therapy. However, it is not known whether such benefits were preserved in patients receiving optim...

PURPOSE Trauma dogma dictates that the physiologic response to injury is blunted by beta-blockers and other cardiac medications. We sought to determine how the pre-injury cardiac medication profile influences admission physiology and post-injury outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Trauma patients older than 45 evaluated at our center were retrospectively studied. Pre-injury medication profiles we...

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of beta blockade on outcome in patients with heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF). BACKGROUND Beta-blockers are widely used in patients with HF and AF. Recommendation in current HF guidelines, however, is based on populations in which the most patients had sinus rhythm. Whether beta-blockers are as useful in AF is uncer...

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is estimated to account for 1–3% of all patients presenting with suspected ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. A sudden surge in sympathetic nervous system considered the cause TTS. Nonetheless, no specific recommendations have been provided regarding β-blocking therapy. Apart from contra-indications (severe LV dysfunction, hypotension, bradycardia and corrected...

After the results of first multicenter, prospective randomized clinical trial (RCT) evaluating long-term efficacy oral beta-blockers in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), we decided to conduct an updated systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate beta-blocker use LVEF who underwent percutaneous coronary intervent...

BACKGROUND The mainstay of therapy for catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is maximal doses of beta-blockers. However, although beta-blockers prevent exercise-induced ventricular tachycardia (VT), most patients continue to have ventricular ectopy during exercise, and some studies report high mortality rates despite beta-blockade. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study wa...

OBJECTIVES Combination therapy using an angiotensin II receptor blocker is expected to promote medication adherence and alleviate economic burden among patients by reducing the number of drugs taken, and thereby to lower associated medical costs. In the present retrospective study, we conducted a survey on the use of angiotensin II receptor blocker-containing combination tablets as anti-hyperte...

BACKGROUND Despite the evidence supporting the importance of early beta-blocker therapy, this intervention has received little attention as an indicator of quality of care. OBJECTIVES To determine how often beta-blockers are administered as early treatment of acute myocardial infarction in patients 65 years of age or older, to identify predictors of the decision to use beta-blockers, and to e...