Beta Blocker News and Research

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Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents (beta-blockers) are drugs with multiple actions on the heart. Blockade of beta-1 receptors results in slowing of heart rate, reduction in myocardial contractility, and lowering of systemic blood pressure. In the context of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), which represents a state of reduced oxygen supply to the affected portion of the heart, these effects may be beneficial as they result in reduced myocardial workload and oxygen demand. Furthermore, beta-blockers may reduce the risk of ventricular arrhythmias, which are an important cause of death following AMI.

Endocrinology Network offers up-to-date coverage of SGLT2 inhibitors

UBM Medica US announces that Endocrinology Network, a leading online community for endocrinologists and other clinicians who treat patients with T2DM offers comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of the sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.

15 Jan 2015

Study indicates major added benefit of propranolol in some children with haemangioma

The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG)investigated in a dossier assessment whether propranolol offers an added benefit in comparison with the appropriate comparator therapy in infants with proliferating infantile haemangioma (sometimes called "strawberry mark").

7 Dec 2014

Study: Preoperative interventions improve outcomes of patients undergoing CABG surgery

A quality improvement initiative improved the outcomes of patients undergoing cardiac surgery at select medical centers in northern New England, according to a study in the December issue of Critical Care Nurse (CCN).

1 Dec 2014

New treatment for Marfan syndrome works as well as beta blockers

A new treatment for Marfan syndrome, a rare genetic disease that can lead to heart problems, works as well as the currently recommended medical therapy, beta blockers, according to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine.

21 Nov 2014

Investigational treatment shows promise against Marfan syndrome

An investigational treatment for Marfan syndrome is as effective as the standard therapy at slowing enlargement of the aorta, the large artery of the heart that delivers blood to the body, new research shows. The findings indicate a second treatment option for Marfan patients, who are at high risk of sudden death from tears in the aorta.

18 Nov 2014

Studies evaluate traditional management of heart attack patients after discharge from hospital

Beta-blockers have been a cornerstone in the treatment of heart attack survivors for more than a quarter of a century. However, many of the data predate contemporary medical therapy such as reperfusion, statins, and antiplatelet agents, and recent data have called the role of beta-blockers into question.

12 Nov 2014

QT Medical partners with LA BioMed to identify infants at risk of long QT syndrome

Each year, some 2,000 babies are born in the U.S. with a genetic heart condition, known as long QT syndrome. If not diagnosed in time, babies with long QT syndrome can die from a sudden arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.

29 Oct 2014

DNA testing for congenital cataracts can accurately diagnose diseases linked to childhood blindness

Researchers in the United Kingdom have demonstrated that advanced DNA testing for congenital cataracts can quickly and accurately diagnose a number of rare diseases marked by childhood blindness, according to a study published online today in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

22 Aug 2014

Penn researchers analyze clinical practice guidelines

The common thought in the medical community is that the randomized, controlled trial is the gold standard in medical research.

19 Aug 2014

Patients who receive medication instruction sheet more likely to obey physician's instructions

A study in the July issue of Anesthesiology revealed that patients who receive a simple, multicolor, standardized medication instruction sheet before surgery are more likely to comply with their physician's instructions and experience a significantly shorter post-op stay in recovery.

18 Jun 2014

Forest publishes data from pivotal Phase III Study of Investigational FDC of nebivolol and valsartan

Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:FRX) today announced the publication of data from its pivotal Phase III Study of an Investigational Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) of nebivolol and valsartan in the May 30, 2014 issue of The Lancet.

31 May 2014

PARADIGM-HF trial of LCZ696 for chronic heart failure stopped early for benefit

The PARADIGM-HF trial has been stopped early for a benefit to patients that was overwhelmingly statistically significant.

19 May 2014

ARCA biopharma announces genetic screening of first patient in GENETIC-AF Phase 2B/3 clinical trial

ARCA biopharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing genetically targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases, today announced that the first patient has been genetically screened in GENETIC-AF, its Phase 2B/3 adaptive design clinical trial.

From Medtronic 18 Apr 2014

Forest Laboratories third quarter net sales increase 24.9% to $846.8 million

Forest Laboratories, Inc., a leading, fully integrated, specialty pharmaceutical company largely focused on the United States market, announced that reported diluted earnings per share equaled $0.07 in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to a reported loss per share of ($0.58) in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. The third quarter of fiscal 2014 included a $45 million charge ($28.2 million net of tax) related to Project Rejuvenate.

21 Jan 2014

FDA accepts ARCA biopharma's Gencaro IND application for atrial fibrillation

ARCA biopharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing genetically-targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases, today announced that the Company's Gencaro Investigational New Drug application for atrial fibrillation has been accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is now active.

4 Dec 2013

Call for greater beta blocker use in COPD

Researchers say that stubbornly low rates of beta-blocker prescribing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease could be contributing toward increased mortality in these patients following myocardial infarction.

27 Nov 2013

Genetics and cardiovascular drugs: an interview with Nancy Lurker, CEO of PDI and Paul Kinnon, CEO of Transgenomic, Inc.

People inherit different versions of any particular gene, and some genes affect how patients process and metabolize medicines. This especially holds true for people with cardiovascular (CV) disease. They may be fast, slow or non-metabolizers and might also react badly (with serious adverse events) to certain drug therapies or not at all.

27 Nov 2013

Research: Chronic stress changes gene activity in immune cells before reaching bloodstream

New research shows that chronic stress changes gene activity in immune cells before they reach the bloodstream. With these changes, the cells are primed to fight an infection or trauma that doesn't actually exist, leading to an overabundance of the inflammation that is linked to many health problems.

6 Nov 2013

Beta-blockers increase risk of adverse cardiac event during noncardiac surgical procedure

A recent study shows that patients given beta-blockers may actually be at increased risk of having an adverse cardiac event during a noncardiac surgical procedure. Risk of irregular heartbeat and worsening of symptoms in patients with existing heart disease also seemed to increase, but to a lesser degree.

29 Oct 2013

Use of effective, risky drug therapies by Medicare patients varies across US

A new report from the Dartmouth Atlas Project shows that the use of both effective and risky drug therapies by Medicare patients varies widely across U.S. regions, offering further evidence that location is a key determinant in the quality and cost of the medical care that patients receive.

18 Oct 2013