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Effect of nebivolol on left ventricular function in patients with chronic heart failure: a pilot study
Author(s) -
Brehm Bernhard R.,
Wolf Sabine C.,
Görner Sandra,
BuckMüller Nina,
Risler Teut
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
european journal of heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.149
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1879-0844
pISSN - 1388-9842
DOI - 10.1016/s1388-9842(02)00113-7
Subject(s) - nebivolol , medicine , ejection fraction , tolerability , cardiology , heart failure , placebo , heart rate , atenolol , cardiac function curve , blood pressure , adverse effect , alternative medicine , pathology
Background: Sympathetic activity is a significant predictor of a poor prognosis in heart failure. Beta‐blockers have been shown to improve the prognosis of patients with heart failure. Aim: This pilot study examined the tolerability and efficacy of the new β‐blocker nebivolol on left ventricular function in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods and Results: Twelve patients with an ejection fraction of 13–39% were included in this double blind, placebo‐controlled randomized trial of nebivolol administered in addition to standard therapy. Exercise time, heart rate, left ventricular function and tolerability were examined at baseline and after 3 months of orally administered nebivolol (2.5 and 5 mg, n =6) or placebo ( n =6). Nebivolol was well tolerated and the NYHA class improved in four patients. Heart rate decreased while the maximal exercise duration and performance remained stable. Left ventricular function increased (ejection fraction 31.5±10.11 to 42.0±10.99%, P ≤0.01) after 12 weeks of nebivolol. The left ventricular end‐systolic diameter decreased in the nebivolol‐group from 56.5±9.40 to 50.2±9.43 mm ( P ≤0.02). Conclusion: These data indicate that nebivolol might improve cardiac function in patients with reduced left ventricular function.