HEART FAILURE
Clinical Overview

Investigational Pharmacological Strategies

  

 

Carvedilol has already been discussed in the Pharmacotherapy section as the only beta blocker with FDA approval for heart failure treatment. The carvedilol section also discusses the rationale behind the use of beta blockers in heart failure. Other beta blockers are currently under investigation for their effectiveness in heart failure treatment. The beta-blocking characteristics of each is described below. Remember that the effects for a particular agent do not imply a class effect of beta-blockers in heart failure.

metoprolol1

high beta1 selectivity
no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity
no vasodilation
Recent trial: Metoprolol in Dilated Cardiomyopathy (MDC)

 

bisoprolol1

high beta1 selectivity
no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity
no vasodilation
Recent trials: Cardiac Insufficiency Bisoprolol Study (CIBIS), CIBIS II
 

bucindolol1

nonselective beta-blocker
no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity
nonadrenergic vasodilation - via unknown mechanism

Recent trials: BEST

  

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