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Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in an Asynchronous Heart Failure Model Induced by Left Bundle Branch Ablation and Rapid Pacing
Published on: December 11, 2017
Treatment of heart failure with beta-blockers. Mechanisms and results
1Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik der Universität des Saarlandes, Innere Medizin III, Homburg/Saar, Germany. boehm@med-in.uni-saarland.de
Abstract:
Sympathetic activation is a significant predictor of a poor prognosis in heart failure. Excessive stimulation with norepinephrine produces apoptosis, tachycardia and arrhythmias thereby leading to progression of left ventricular dysfunction and worsening of outcome. Beta-blockers reduce morbidity and improve cardiac function. They have been shown to improve survival (MERIT-HF, CIBIS II and US-Carvedilol Trials). A careful uptitration of dosages is achievable with a low rate of side effects. The mechanism of beta-blocker effects in heart failure are cardiac protection from beta1-adrenoceptor overstimulation, antiarrhythmic effects, reduction in heart rate and positive energetic effects or a combination thereof.
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