BETA-BLOCKERS FOR CHRONIC HEART-FAILURE - FROM PREJUDICE TO ENLIGHTENMENT

Experience accumulated from several large trials strongly suggest that beta-blockers should be used for the management of congestive heart f ailure (CHF). beta-Blockade should be added to conventional therapy su ch as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and digoxin, as this was the approach used in the major trials. It is appropriate to treat patients with mi ld, moderate and, when stable, severe CHF. The benefits obtained inclu de improvements in left ventricular function, reductions in symptoms a nd morbidity, improvement of quality of life, and delay of clinical pr ogression, reflected by a reduced need for hospitalization and a reduc tion in mortality. beta-Blockers are much better tolerated. when used appropriately in selected patients. than was previously supposed.