BETABLOCKING AGENTS IN PATIENTS WITH CORO NARY-ARTERY DISEASE AND AT RISK FOR SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH - WITH CONSIDERATIONS OF CARVEDILOL

Betablocking agents are well established in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. Synergistic effects on mortality, myocar dial ischemia, the risk for myocardial (re-)infarction and, as most re cently shown, on sudden cardiac death form the basis for the convincin g prognostic impact of these agents. The present paper is directed to summarize the clinical evidence for the therapeutic benefit of beta-bl ocking agents in post-infarction patients, to characterize subgroups o f patients who will benefit most from such a therapeutic intervention and to discuss the present impact of newer beta-blocking agents, such as carvedilol which beside its effects on beta-1 and beta-2 receptors exerts potent vasodilating properties via an alpha-1 receptor blockade .