Beta-blockers and Ambulatory Inotropic Therapy. 

 -  2022 
<br/><br/> BACKGROUND: Continuous infusion of ambulatory inotropic therapy (AIT) is increasingly used in patients with end stage heart failure (HF). There is a paucity of data on the concomitant use of beta blockers (BB) in these patients.  CONCLUSION: In patients with end-stage heart failure on AIT, the use of BB with inotropes was associated with lower HF hospitalizations and ventricular arrhythmias. Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.  METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients discharged from our institution on AIT. The cohort was stratified into two groups based on BB use. The 2 groups were compared for differences in HF hospitalizations, ventricular arrhythmias, and ICD therapies (shock or anti-tachycardia pacing).  RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2017, 349 patients were discharged on AIT (95% on Milrinone), 74% were males with a mean age of 61 +/-14 years. BB were used in 195 (56%) patients, whereas 154 (44%) did not receive these medications. Patients in the BB-group had longer duration of AIT support compared to those in the non-BB group (141 [1-2114] vs. 68 [1-690] days). After adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics and indication for AIT, patients in the BB-group had significantly lower rates of HF-hospitalizations (hazard ratio (HR) 0.61 [0.43-0.86], p= 0.005), ventricular arrhythmias (HR 0.34 [0.15-0.74], p=0.007)and ICD therapies (HR 0.24 [0.07-0.79], p=0.02). 
<br/><br/><br/>English 
<br/><br/><label>ISSN: </label>1071-9164 
<br/><br/><label>Standard No.: </label>10.1016/j.cardfail.2022.03.352 [doi] S1071-9164(22)00486-9 [pii] 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>IN PROCESS -- NOT YET INDEXED
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Geographic Terms: </label><br/>MedStar Health Research Institute<br/>MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute
<br/><br/><label>Index Terms--Occupation: </label><br/>Internal Medicine Residency<br/>MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/MedStar Washington Hospital Center
<br/><br/><label>Index Terms--Function: </label><br/>Journal Article