Benefit of Beta-Blocker Therapy in Chronic MR

Results of a pilot study suggest that medical intervention can slow progression of LV dysfunction.

No medical therapy has proven beneficial in patients with asymptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR) before symptoms or evidence of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction prompt surgical repair. In this randomized, double-blind study, investigators assigned 38 patients (average age, 55; about half women) with moderate or severe MR, ejection fraction (EF) >55%, and New York Heart Association class I or II symptoms to receive placebo or metoprolol (to a maximum dose of 100 mg daily) for 2 years. Magnetic resonance imaging to assess LV geometry was performed at 6-month intervals (follow-up data were available for 36 patients).

At 2 years, LVEF was unchanged in the metoprolol group but fell in the placebo group by an average of 5% (95% confidence interva…

Reviewing Author

Howard C. Herrmann, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAffluent Medical; Artedrone; Caranx; Johnson & Johnson; Medtronic; Prolifagen; Wells Fargo

EquityMicrointerventional Devices, Inc.

RoyaltiesUniversity of Pennsylvania

Grant/Research SupportAbbott Vascular; Edwards Lifesciences; Johnson & Johnson; Medtronic

Editorial BoardsCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions; Journal of the American College of Cardiology; Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions; JACC Cardiovascular Interventions; JACC Case Reports; JSCAI