Chronic Beta Blockade after Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Patients with ischemic heart disease run a high risk of developing ventricular fibrillation and sudden death. During the last decade, great efforts have been made to prevent sudden death in these patients by the use of specific antiarrhythmics and beta blockers and by by-passing stenotic coronary vessels. The aim of this presentation is to review a number of these studies, some of which present promising results, whereas in others the effect of beta blockade is absent or difficult to interpret (Table 1).