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Investigating the adverse respiratory effects of beta-blocker treatment: six years of prospective longitudinal data in a cohort with cardiac disease
Citation
Cochrane, B and Quinn, S and Walters, H and Young, I, Investigating the adverse respiratory effects of beta-blocker treatment: six years of prospective longitudinal data in a cohort with cardiac disease, Internal Medicine Journal, 42, (7) pp. 786-793. ISSN 1444-0903 (2012) [Refereed Article]
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DOI: doi:10.1111/j.1445-5994.2011.02563.x
Abstract
Background: Globally, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death. Beta-blocker medications have well-established survival benefit for myocardial infarction and heart failure. However, CVD frequently coexists with chronic obstructive airways disease (COPD), a disease in which beta-blockers are traditionally avoided. We sought to investigate the adverse respiratory effects associated with long term beta-blocker treatment in patients with cardiac disease, and presumed high risk of COPD.
Methods: In this prospective cohort study, patients admitted with acute cardiac disease were recruited from the cardiology unit of a tertiary referral hospital. The treating cardiologist determined beta-blocker treatment, independent of the study. Repeated measures of spirometry and respiratory symptom scores were assessed over 12 months. Respiratory exacerbations, cardiac events and survival were recorded over six years. Outcomes were compared according to beta-blocker exposure.
Results: Sixty-four subjects participated, 30 of whom received beta-blockers. Beta-blockers did not adversely affect spirometry, respiratory symptoms or survival. However, considering two categories of respiratory exacerbations (symptom-based versus treated) subjects taking beta-blockers accumulated increased annual risk (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.11 - 1.53, P = 0.001 and RR 1.37, 95% CI 1.09 - 1.72, P = 0.008) and concluded with overall increased risk (RR 3.67, 95% CI 1.65 - 8.18, P = 0.001 and RR 4.03, 95% CI 1.26 - 12.9, p = 0.019), when compared with the group not taking beta-blockers.
Conclusions: Long term beta-blocker treatment did not adversely affect lung function, respiratory symptom scores or survival, but was associated with increased risk of respiratory exacerbations.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | beta-blockers, adrenergic, heart disease, undesirable effects, disease exacerbation, COPD |
Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
Research Group: | Cardiovascular medicine and haematology |
Research Field: | Respiratory diseases |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Clinical health |
Objective Field: | Clinical health not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Cochrane, B (Ms Belinda Cochrane) |
UTAS Author: | Walters, H (Professor Haydn Walters) |
ID Code: | 76498 |
Year Published: | 2012 (online first 2011) |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 4 |
Deposited By: | Menzies Institute for Medical Research |
Deposited On: | 2012-03-07 |
Last Modified: | 2013-11-18 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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