As experience with beta-blockers grows, physicians and researchers are documenting more of their benefits. In addition to lowering blood pressure, these agents have now been shown to:

• Improve survival in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery; these patients also had fewer complications during their surgery. This held true even in patients who were elderly, had chronic lung disease, diabetes, or moderately depressed ventricular function. It was not true for patients with an ejection fraction of less than 30%.
• Reduce the risk of adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery.
• Reduce mortality and hospitalization among patients with heart failure.

Researchers are urging that such findings be translated into practice so that more patients may realize the full potential of these agents.

Related information: Treatment - Medications | Heart failure

Sources:

• Ferguson TB, Coombs LP, Peterson ED, et al. Preoperative beta-blocker use and mortality and morbidity following CABG surgery in North America. Journal of the American Medical Association. May 1, 2002;287:2221-2227. (Abs.)
• Auerbach AD, Goldman L. Beta-blockers and reduction of cardiac events in noncardiac surgery. Journal of the American Medical Association. March 20, 2002;287:1435-1444. (Abs.)
• Foody JM, Farrell MH, Krumholz HM. Beta-blocker therapy in heart failure. Journal of the American Medical Association. Feb. 20, 2002;287:883-889. (Abs.)