Beta-Blockers Might Not Reduce CV Events in Patients with Stable Heart Disease - Physician's First Watch

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Beta-Blockers Might Not Reduce CV Events in Patients with Stable Heart Disease

Beta-blockers might not lower the risk for major cardiovascular events in patients with — or at risk for — stable coronary artery disease (CAD), according to a JAMA study.

Investigators compared outcomes with and without beta-blocker therapy in about 22,000 participants in the REACH (Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health) registry who had prior myocardial infarction, CAD without MI, or CAD risk factors only. Patients were followed for roughly 44 months.

In both cohorts with CAD, risk for the primary outcome — a composite of cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke — did not differ significantly between beta-blocker recipients and nonrecipients. In the risk-factor-only group, the primary outcome occurred more often among beta-blocker recipients (14% vs. 12% among nonrecipients).

The authors note that their findings support recent changes in secondary prevention guidelines, giving class I status only to the short-term use of beta-blockers after MI.

LINK(S):

JAMA article (Free abstract)

Journal Watch Cardiology summary (Free)

Background: Journal Watch Cardiology coverage of recent secondary prevention guidelines (Free)

Published in Physician's First Watch October 3, 2012

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