The Beta-Blocker Heart Attack Trial in perspective

Recently completed Beta-Blocker Heart Attack Trial in which propranolol was administered to patients following an acute myocardial infarction resulted in a 26% decrease in total mortality and a 23% decrease in total coronary events in the propranolol-treated patients as compared to the placebo patients during the average follow-up of 25 months. In addition to the decrease in mortality and morbidity, the drug was well tolerated in the patients treated with the drug when compared to those who received placebo. In the patients who received propranolol, there was a decreased incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. These results, coupled with the results of other trials using beta-adrenergic blocking agents including sotalol and timolol, strongly supports the beneficial effect of the routine administration of these beta blocking agents in the postmyocardial infarction patients.