Klin Farmakol Farm. 2025;39(3):160-164 | DOI: 10.36290/far.2025.059
Beta-blockers in the treatment of heart failure
- I. interní kardioangiologická klinika LF MU a FN u sv. Anny Brno
Heart failure is a common disease with a serious prognosis. Treatment is always complex and includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological processes. Beta-blockers are one of the fundamental drugs in treatment of chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The recommended drugs include bisoprolol, carvedilol, metoprolol succinate and nebivolol. Beta-blockers should be initiated in clinically stable, euvolaemic, patients at a low dose and gradually uptitrated to the maximum tolerated dose. The only reason for not administering beta-blockers in these patients are contraindications. We do not have enough evidences for recommendation to administer beta-blockers in patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF. In patients with acute heart failure, administration of beta-blockers can help mainly in conditions associated with tachycardia. Attention should be paid to patients with acute decompensation who have already been treated with beta-blockers. We try to continue treatment with beta-blockers in these patients, and if the discontinuation is necessary, we reintroduce them into the medication immediately after stabilization.
Keywords: beta-blockers, chronic heart failure, acute heart failure.
Accepted: October 23, 2025; Published: October 30, 2025 Show citation
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