Titration of beta-blockers in heart failure. How to maximize benefit while minimizing adverse events

Data from large clinical trials indicate that beta-blocker therapy can be successfully initiated and adjusted upward in most patients with stable chronic heart failure who already take standard heart failure therapy. Such therapy typically includes ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and digoxin. With optimal titration and maintenance strategies, beta-blockers are effective and well tolerated in these patients. It is recommened that all patients with clinically stable mild to moderate chronic heart failure (NYHA class II or III), no contraindications to beta-blocker use, and an LVEF less than 40% should be treated with beta-blockers. Based on the results of recent clinical trials on heart failure, beta-blocker therapy should be initiated at a low dose and slowly tirtrated upward as tolerated. A patient's heart failure should be stable for at least 2 weeks before the dose is adjusted upward. Slow titration facilitates maximal tolerability. In primary care practice, physicians should apply titration strategies and target dosed that have been demonstrated to reduce morbidity and mortality in clinical trials. Although worsening heart failure or other adverse events occur in a minority of patients who take beta-blockers, these effects can be managed by adjusting the dose of ACE inhibitor or diuretic, or both, or by temporarily withholding the beta-clocker. Currently, professional treatment guidelines recommend beta-blocker therapy in combination with ACE inhibitors an diuretics as the standard of care in the treatment of heart failure.