Short-term effects of atenolol in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy
Krittayaphong, R.; Mahanonda, N.; Kangkagate, C.; Phankingthongkum, R.; Chaithiraphan, S.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 81(3): 201-207
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 9623012 Document Number: 7622
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a common cause of heart failure with systolic dysfunction. Medications used to treat this condition are usually for symptomatic relief. We studied the effect of atenolol in heart failure caused by dilated cardiomyopathy in a double blinded randomized fashion. There were 17 males and 5 females. All patients underwent right and left heart catheterization, coronary angiography, endomyocardial biopsy, exercise testing and doppler echocardiography. By 3 months, atenolol significantly reduced resting and exercise heart rate and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. There was no difference in exercise capacity. We conclude from this study that atenolol improve hemodynamic condition in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy without improving exercise capacity during this short observation period.
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