Use of betablockers in elderly patients with congestive heart failure

Few studies of betablockers (BB) have been performed specifically in older patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). We evaluated the characteristics of elderly patients with CHF treated with BB. Moreover, we assessed whether BB are associated with a better outcome in them. We evaluated clinical and functional characteristics of patients aged > or = 75 years with CHF treated with or without BB, with special interest being paid in the mortality. 47 out of 107 patients were treated with BB. Only in 3 it was necessary to withdraw BB. Patients treated with no BB were older, with a higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, more prevalent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in poorer functional situation. In patients treated with BB, ischemic heart disease was more prevalent. Reasons for "no treatment with BB" were severe aortic stenosis (n = 2), severe mitral regurgitation (n = 9), asthma-COPD (n = 28), arterial disease (n = 16) and fragility (n = 9). 25% of the patients on BB reached the target dose. One-year mortality (5.7% vs 27.6%) and 2-year mortality (20.68% vs 60%) were both significantly lower (p = 0.01 and p = 0.002, respectively) in patients on BB. 44% of our elderly patients with CHF received BB with good tolerance. Patients treated with BB were younger, with more ischemic heart disease, better NYHA class, less functional deterioration and without COPD. One-year and two-year mortality in patients who can receive BB were lower.