Optimizing beta-blocker therapy in chronic heart failure: a real-world study of patients with and without atrial...

Heart failure (HF) with reduced (HFrEF) or mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) frequently coexists with atrial fibrillation (AF), leading to worse prognosis and greater therapeutic complexity. Although beta-blockers (BBs) are a cornerstone of HF treatment, their benefit in patients with AF remains unclear.

We analyzed 1088 patients with stable chronic HF and left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% enrolled in the multicentre FAR NHL registry. Patients were stratified by the presence of AF and achieved BB dose: low ( < 25%), medium (25-49%), or high (≥50% of target). The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality, hospitalization for acute HF, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, or heart transplantation.

AF was present in 379 patients (34.5%). BBs were prescribed to 94% of patients, but only 17% achieved high-dose therapy. The event rate was higher in AF patients (28.0%) than in those without AF (20.5%, p = 0.005). High BB dose was independently associated with a lower risk of the primary endpoint (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.48-0.80; p < 0.001), consistently across both rhythm group.

Higher BB doses were associated with improved outcomes in patients with chronic HF, regardless of AF status. These real-world data support up-titration of BBs as a key component in optimized guideline-directed therapy, even in patients with coexisting AF.