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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Cardiac Response to β-Adrenergic Stimulation Determined by Pressure-Volume Loop Analysis
Published on: May 19, 2021
Association between beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptor gene polymorphisms and the response to beta-blockade in
Pascal de Groote1, Nicole Helbecque, Nicolas Lamblin
1Service de Cardiologie C, Hôpital Cardiologique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France. pdegroote@chru-lille.fr
Insights
Beta-blockers benefit stable congestive heart failure (CHF) patients, improving ejection fraction. However, common beta-adrenergic receptor (betaAR) gene variations do not explain individual patient responses to these crucial heart failure medications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacogenomics
Background:
- Beta-blockers are established treatments for stable congestive heart failure (CHF), improving left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and reducing mortality.
- Interindividual variability exists in patient response to beta-blocker therapy for CHF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between genetic variations in beta1 and beta2 adrenergic receptor (AR) genes and the therapeutic effects of beta-blockade in stable CHF patients.
Main Methods:
- 199 stable CHF patients, treatment-naïve to beta-blockers, were assessed using echocardiography and radionuclide angiography before and 3 months after maximal tolerated beta-blocker dose.
- Genotyping was performed for five common polymorphisms in the beta1AR and beta2AR genes: beta1ARGly389Arg, beta1ARSer49Gly, beta2ARGly16Arg, beta2ARGln27Glu, and beta2ARThr164Ile.
Main Results:
- Beta-blockade significantly reduced heart rate and increased LVEF (from 30±10% to 40±13%, P<0.0001).
- No significant association was found between the five studied betaAR polymorphisms and heart rate or LVEF changes in response to beta-blockade.
- The investigated betaAR gene polymorphisms did not account for the observed interindividual variability in treatment response.
Conclusions:
- Common genetic variations in beta1AR and beta2AR genes do not explain the variability in response to beta-blockers in patients with stable CHF.
- Further research is needed to identify genetic or other factors influencing individual responses to beta-blocker therapy in CHF.
Abstract:
Previous studies have clearly demonstrated the beneficial effect of beta-blockers in patients with stable congestive heart failure (CHF). beta-blockers improve left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and reduce cardiac mortality. However, there is an interindividual variability in the response to these agents. Two studies have suggested a possible impact of some functional betaAR gene polymorphisms on the effects of beta-blockade. The objective of the study is to analyse the association between genetic variations in the beta1 or the beta2 adrenoreceptor (AR) gene and the effects of beta-blockade in patients with stable CHF. We studied 199 consecutive patients with stable CHF not treated with beta-blockers. Before introduction of beta-blockers and 3 months after the maximal tolerated dose was reached, patients underwent an echocardiography and a radionuclide angiography. The beta1ARGly389Arg, beta1ARSer49Gly, beta2ARGly16Arg, beta2ARGln27Glu and beta2ARThr164Ile polymorphisms were determined: beta-blockade resulted in a significant decrease in heart rate, a significant increase in LVEF (from 30+/-10% to 40+/-13%, P<0.0001). There was no association between the five polymorphisms and heart rate or LVEF, either before or after beta-blockade. Heart rate and LVEF responses to beta-blockade were not associated with the beta1AR or the beta2AR polymorphisms. betaAR polymorphisms did not explain the interindividual variability in the response to beta-blockers.
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