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Potential use of beta(3)-adrenoceptor antagonists in heart failure therapy
Stéphane Moniotte1, Jean-Luc Balligand
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Louvain Medical School, Brussels, Belgium. moniotte@mint.ucl.ac.be
Abstract:
Recently, a functional, negatively inotropic, beta(3)-adrenoceptor was characterized in the human heart. Several studies now suggest that this receptor might play an important role in the pathophysiology of heart failure, by counterbalancing the effects of a beta(1)- and beta(2)-stimulation. Therefore, this review summarizes the rationale and effects of beta-adrenergic blockade in chronic heart failure and specifically addresses the question of the potential use of beta(3)-adrenoceptor antagonists in the treatment of heart failure and other pathophysiological conditions associated with a decreased cardiac contractility.