Beta-adrenergic receptor blockers in heart failure

Congestive heart failure is a progressive disease with high morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Standard therapy for patients with systolic left ventricular dysfunction now includes angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and β blockers. β Blockers have been demonstrated to decrease mortality, reduce hospitalizations, improve functional class, decrease left ventricular dimensions, and improve ejection fraction in several large-scale, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. In addition to reducing deaths due to progressive heart failure, β blockers also reduce the incidence of sudden death. Therapy with β blockers can successfully be initiated in most patients with heart failure if recommended titration schedules are followed. β Blockers are an important component of medical therapy for all stages of heart failure.