Beta-adrenoceptor blockade and myocardial infarction: when should treatment start and for how long should it...

Treatment with oral beta 1 blockade started after recovery from acute myocardial infarction and continued for approximately 2 years reduces total mortality by about 25%. It is unclear how long oral treatment should be maintained, nor is it known if stopping beta blockade increases the risk of sudden death or reinfarction. Acute i.v. administration of beta blockers has been shown to reduce indexes of infarct size. The effect of this reduction on short- and long-term survival is promising, but not conclusive.