Adverse Effects of β-Blocker Therapy for Patients With Heart Failure

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Abstract
Although the use of β-blocker therapy was once thought to be contraindicated in patients with heart failure (HF) with systolic dysfunction, studies have shown that it reduces mortality and hospitalizations in this population.1-4 Systematic overviews of β-blocker trials in patients with HF have demonstrated reductions in mortality of approximately 30%,5 and recently published clinical practice guidelines strongly recommend the use of β-blockers.6,7 The same clinical guidelines, however, highlight common cardiovascular adverse effects associated with β-blocker therapy including HF deterioration, hypotension, dizziness, bradycardia, and fatigue. Concerns about adverse effects may deter clinicians from prescribing this life saving therapy.8 Although individual HF trials have reported the risks of these adverse effects, no study has combined the available information to obtain the best estimates of these risks during β-blocker therapy.

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