BETA-BLOCKER THERAPY IN YOUNG-CHILDREN WITH CONGESTIVE-HEART-FAILURE UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR HEART-TRANSPLANTATION

Background Although beta-blocker therapy for dilated or ischemic cardi omyopathy is now an accepted and effective treatment in adults, little is known about its efficacy in children. Methods we reviewed our expe rience with the use of metoprolol in four younger children with cardio myopathy who were referred for consideration for heart transplantation because of severe congestive heart Failure. Results over a follow-up period of 12.6 +/- 6 months, left ventricular fractional shortening in creased from 13.8% +/- 7% to 25.5% +/- 13%, and election fraction incr eased from 19.8% +/- 11% to 40.8% +/- 21% (p < 0.05). Two children bec ame asymptomatic. Conclusion Metoprolol may be effective in improving ejection fraction and symptoms in some young children with cardiomyopa thy and congestive heart failure.