Meta-Analysis: Beta-Blockers and outcome in heart failure and atrial fibrillation

Source: J Am Coll Cardiol Heart Failure Area: News Although beta-blockers are widely used for the treatment of heart failure (HF), little is known about their efficacy in patients with co-existing atrial fibrillation (AF).   To investigate, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of placebo-controlled, randomised beta-blocker therapy in patients with AF at baseline and HF with reduced systolic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%.   Overall, four studies enrolling 8,680 patients with HF met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 1,677 (19%) had AF (mean 68 years of age; 30% women), where 842 patients were treated with beta-blockers, and 835 with placebo. All four reports were specific AF sub-analyses of the large HF outcome trials (U.S.-Carvedilol, CIBIS II, MERIT-HF, and SENIORS)   The following results were reported:   . In AF patients, beta-blockade did not reduce mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 0.86 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66 to 1.13]; p = 0.28), while in sinus rhythm ...
Source: NeLM - News - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news