Open AccessEffect of Bisoprolol on Right Ventricular Function and Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Patients With Heart Failure
Author(s) -
BeckdaSilva Luís,
De Bold Adolfo,
Davies Ross A.,
Chow Benjamin J.W.,
Ruddy Terrence D.,
Fraser Margaret,
Struthers Christine,
Haddad Haissam
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
congestive heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1751-7133
pISSN - 1527-5299
DOI - 10.1111/j.1527-5299.2004.03316.x
Subject(s) - bisoprolol , medicine , ejection fraction , cardiology , brain natriuretic peptide , heart failure , natriuretic peptide , confidence interval , cardiac function curve , radionuclide angiography
Beta‐blocker use improves left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with heart failure. A similar effect of β blockers on right ventricular function has been proposed, although the effect of bisoprolol, a highly selective β‐1 blocker, on right ventricular function has not been assessed. This study investigated the short‐term effect of bisoprolol on right ventricular function in chronic heart failure patients. A cohort of 30 heart failure patients who were not taking β blockers at baseline was studied prospectively. Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) and LVEF were measured at both baseline and 4 months by radionuclide angiography. Bisoprolol was up‐titrated during four monthly visits by a preestablished protocol to a target dose of 10 mg/d. The dose of vasodilators was not changed. Quality of life and brain natriuretic peptide level were assessed. Mean age was 62.7±14.3 years. Baseline RVEF was 30.7%±6.3% and baseline LVEF was 21.7%±9.4%. Mean bisoprolol dose reached was 5.3±3.9 mg daily. At 4 months, RVEF significantly increased by 7.1 % (95% confidence interval, 3.9–10.2; p =0.0001) and LVEF also increased significantly by 7.9% (95% confidence interval, 4.0%–11.9% p =0.0003). Quality‐of‐life score improved from 42.8 to 30.8 ( p =0.047). No correlation was found between brain natriuretic peptide levels and RVEF. Bisoprolol treatment for 4 months resulted in a significant improvement of RVEF, which paralleled the improvement of LVEF.