Key result
Beta-blockers improve NYHA class and symptoms in HF despite insensitive quality of life tests.
Why the study?
The influence of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs on symptomatic and functional status in heart failure patients has been difficult to establish despite known reductions in morbidity and mortality.
Do beta-adrenergic-blocking drugs improve symptoms and functional capacity in patients with heart failure?
Population
Patients with heart failure
Comparison
Beta-adrenergic-blocking drugs including metoprolol and carvedilol vs no beta-blocker or placebo
Design
Review of multicenter studies and trials
Authors
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NYHA and symptom gains with beta-blockers in HF are clinically evident; leaves open need for sensitive QoL and exercise endpoints in future trials.
Do beta-adrenergic-blocking drugs improve symptoms and functional capacity in patients with heart failure?
While beta-blockers clearly reduce morbidity and mortality in heart failure, their benefits on symptoms and functional capacity are evident clinically but difficult to capture with formal quality of life or exercise testing instruments.
Michael B. Fowler (1997) conducted a review in Heart failure. Beta-adrenergic-blocking drugs was evaluated on Symptoms and functional capacity. Beta-adrenergic blocking drugs improve NYHA functional class and symptom scores in heart failure, though formal quality of life instruments and short-term exercise testing lack sensitivity.
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