β-blocker therapy after acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Evaluation of: Zuckerman IH, Yin X, Rattinger GB et al. Effect of exposure to evidence-based pharmacotherapy on outcomes after acute myocardial infarction in older adults. J. Am. Geriatr. Soc. 60(10), 1854–1861 (2012).

The number of myocardial infarctions (MIs) in population remains high and this event is a significant predictor of mortality. Information in literature points to a reduction in mortality, reinfarction and sudden death in first year, especially in patients with high risk, if β-blockers (BBs) are used after MI. In a perspective study, Zuckerman et al. have determined outcome following pharmacotherapy after acute MI in older adults. It is apparent that a number of matters require consideration in evaluation of the effectiveness of BBs. It seems that not all patients benefit equally from treatment with BBs but such an intervention reduces mortality. It is also important to recognize that the beneficial effects of BBs should not be considered in isolation since the biological system is too complex to manipulate with the use of a single class of drugs.

Keywords::

• β-blockers
• compliance
• mortality
• myocardial infarction
• polymorphism
• risk

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.