Beta-blockers and heart failure

Journal of Clinical and Basic Cardiology 2001; 4 (1): 11-14

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Keywords: Betablocker,  COPERNICUS,  Herzinsuffizienz,  beta-blocker,  COPERNICUS,  heart failure

Heart failure is a common disease that progresses slowly and is associated with a very poor prognosis. Some beta-blocking agents have been shown to reduce mortality and to improve quality of life in patients with mild to moderate cardiac dysfunction. The authors review the current data on pathophysiology of heart failure, the effects, mechanisms of action and pharmacological differences of beta-blocking drugs, summarise the most important studies with stress on COPERNICUS (CarvedilOl ProspEctive RaNdomised Cumulative Survival) trial, which first demonstrated that the multiple action adrenergic inhibitor carvedilol is also beneficial in patients with severe heart failure. J Clin Basic Cardiol 2001; 4: 11?14.