Beta-blockers prevent death from CHF
February 1, 1998 less than 1 minute read
Beta-blockers prevent death from CHF
Beta-blockers reduce deaths among patients with congestive heart failure by 31%, according to a meta-analysis of 17 randomized clinical trials that included a total of 3,039 patients. The treatment proved most effective in preventing progressive, nonsudden cardiac death, reducing the odds by 42% for patients receiving beta-blocker therapy. It reduced sudden death by 16%.
The improved survival was unrelated to the cause of heart failure. Most of the studies in the meta-analysis followed patients for one year or less, so researchers noted that they could not comment on the effect of beta-blockers on long-term survival.
Heidenreich PA, Lee TT, Massie BM. Effect of beta-blockade on mortality in patients with heart failure: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 1997; 30:27-30.
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