ISSN:
1573-7241
Keywords:
congestive heart failure
;
beta blockers
;
dilated cardiomyopathy
;
atenolol
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The usefulness of beta blockers in the treatment of congestive heart failure has been questioned. We selected 11 patients, mean age 47.1±13.8, affected by dilated cardiomyopathy in NYHA class III, who had been taking digoxin and diuretics for a long time. Atenolol 50 mg was added to conventional therapy. Both before and 3 months after treatment a clinical evaluation, chest x-ray, an exercise test, and an echocardiogram were performed. We observed an improvement of NYHA class in five patients. However, the exercise test showed no improvement: 2310±1299 vs. 2902±983 total kgm (ns). The echocardiogram showed improvements of the end-systolic diameter (from 6.3±1 cm to 5.9±0.8 cm; p〈0.02), the fractional shortening (from 13.6±6.3% to 15.2±5.6%; p〈0.05) the radius/thickness ratio (from 4.14±0.5 to 3.5±0.5; p〈0.05), and the wall stress (from 208±49 g/cm2 to 163.5±41 g/cm2; p〈0.02). The inotropic state index did not show any changes. We conclude that in some patients with dilated cardiomyopathy beta blockers may improve the clinical status and left ventricular performance.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01857761
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