Journal of cardiology
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Journal of cardiology · Aug 1996
Review[How and to what extent has beta-blocker treatment been established for chronic heart failure?].
Over the past 20 years, the concept of chronic heart failure has changed. The activation of neurohumoral system is important in worsening the chronic heart failure. Therefore, it is reasonable to block the effect of the renin-angiotensin system and sympathetic nervous system on the heart for treatment of heart failure. ⋯ Some investigators are proposing the use of beta-blockers in chronic heart failure to ameliorate the harmful effect of excess sympathetic stimulation, but the exact mechanisms of beta-blockers are uncertain. Although a large number of studies have demonstrated the usefulness of beta-blocker treatment for chronic heart failure, many unsolved problems such as the exact mechanisms of beneficial effect, usefulness for ischemic heart disease, and the optimal agent and dose for treatment remain. Further studies are needed to establish this treatment.