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Effect of beta-blocker therapy in elderly patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

Yuji Hara1, Mareomi Hamada, Yuji Shigematsu

  • 1The Second Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan. yujihara@m.ehime-u.ac.jp

Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society
|October 28, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Beta-blocker therapy is safe and effective for elderly patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), improving cardiac function similarly to younger patients. This heart condition treatment benefits all age groups.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Geriatric Medicine

Background:

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a significant cause of heart failure.
  • The efficacy and safety of beta-blocker therapy in elderly DCM patients require further evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the safety and cardiac benefits of beta-blocker therapy in elderly patients with DCM.
  • To compare treatment effects between older (>/=65 years) and younger (<65 years) DCM patient groups.

Main Methods:

  • 67 DCM patients received beta-blocker therapy for 6 months.
  • Echocardiography and natriuretic peptide levels were measured pre- and post-treatment.
  • Patients were stratified into older (n=20) and younger (n=47) age groups.

Main Results:

  • Beta-blocker therapy was well-tolerated in all patients, with no significant dose difference between groups.
  • Both groups showed reduced left ventricular dimensions and increased ejection fraction.
  • Significant decreases in natriuretic peptide concentrations were observed in both older and younger patients.

Conclusions:

  • Beta-blocker therapy is safe and well-tolerated in elderly patients with DCM.
  • The cardiac benefits of beta-blockers are comparable between older and younger DCM patients.
  • This therapy offers a consistent treatment approach across different age demographics for DCM.

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