Effects of Controlled-Release Metoprolol on Total Mortality, Hospitalizations, and Well-being in Patients With Heart Failure

Abstract

Chronic heart failure is a common disease that has a poor prognosis and periods of incapacitating symptoms necessitating recurrent hospital admissions.^1,2 The most common modes of death are sudden death or death from worsening heart failure.³ The discovery of the pathophysiological importance of neuroendocrine activation in heart failure and the possibility of modifying such mechanisms of the disease process have greatly improved treatment in clinical practice.⁴ Thus, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been established as standard therapy for patients with chronic heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction, with proven effects on mortality and symptoms related to worsening heart failure.^4,5 Despite the benefits of this mode of therapy, mortality and morbidity remain high for patients with heart failure.