• A Wirtzfeld, G Klein, F C Himmler, and G Schmidt.
• Herz. 1981 Apr 1; 6 (2): 73-83.

AbstractBeta-adrenergic blocking agents exert a number of pharmacologic effects which may potentially be beneficial and warrant their use in acute myocardial infarction: by decreasing heart rate, myocardial contractility and systolic blood pressure, reducing catecholamine-induced lipolysis and antagonizing the oxygen-wasting effects of catecholamines on the myocardium, myocardial oxygen balance may be improved thus reducing ischemia. Theoretically this may lead to a limitation of infarct size by protecting underperfused myocardium from ultimate necrosis. Definite proof for such a positive effect in man, however, is not yet available. In animals a number of experimental findings either indirectly of directly demonstrate the potential protective effect of beta-blockers on ischemic myocardium. Early treatment is able to significantly prolong myocardial survival time and limit the area of myocardial damage to about 50% as compared with untreated controls. Experience with treatment of myocardial infarction in man has shown that beta-blocking agents are well tolerated in patients presenting in hemodynamically stable condition (Killip groups I and II). By reducing heart rate as well as pressure and volume work of the heart and reducing serum-free-fatty-acid concentration, myocardial oxygen demand is greatly diminished. A reduction of myocardial O2-consumption and improvement in oxygen balance has been demonstrated in man. Total enzyme appearance of creatine-phosphokinase is significantly lower in patients treated with beta-blocking drugs early in the course of of myocardial infarction (within four hours following onset of acute symptoms) as compared with untreated controls. Furthermore the number of ventricular ectopic beats and the severity of chest pain are reduced. In some studies there was a significant reduction in mortality for selected groups of patients with myocardial infarction treated with beta-blocking agents. In conclusion, beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents appear to represent a promising therapeutic principle for protecting ischemic myocardium in acute infarction. Additional investigations are urgently necessary to clarify the question of which patients may profit from such management. Pending the results of such studies, a general recommendation for the treatment of myocardial infarction with beta-blockade can not yet be given.

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