Effect of beta-blocker therapy on functional status in patients with heart failure--a meta-analysis
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
BACKGROUND: The results of randomised control trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of beta-blockers on functional status in patients with chronic heart failure are conflicting. AIM: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs evaluating the effect of beta-blockers on New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification and exercise tolerance in chronic heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: We selected 28 RCTs evaluating beta-blocker versus placebo in addition to ACE inhibitor therapy. Combined results of 23 RCTs showed that beta-blockers improved NYHA class by at least one class with odds ratio (OR) 1.80 (1.33-2.43) p<0.0001. Meta-analysis of 10 RCTs showed a significant prolongation of exercise time by 44.19 (6.62-81.75) s p=0.021. Combining 8 RCTs evaluating the maximal peak oxygen uptake and 9 RCTs evaluating 6-min walk distance showed that beta-blockers had no significant effect compared with placebo, p=0.484, and p=0.730, respectively. Combined results of the 23 RCTs showed significant reducing effect on all cause mortality with OR=0.69 (0.59-0.82) p<0.0001. CONCLUSION: Chronic use of a beta-blocker in conjunction with ACE inhibitor therapy improves dyspnoea and prolongs exercise tolerance time, but has no significant effect on 6-min walk test or maximal oxygen uptake in patients with heart failure.
Original language | English |
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Journal | European Journal of Heart Failure |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 5 |
Pages (from-to) | 522-31 |
Number of pages | 9 |
ISSN | 1388-9842 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2005 |
Bibliographical note
Keywords: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Exercise Test; Exercise Tolerance; Heart Failure; Humans; Oxygen Consumption; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
ID: 17396155