The safety and tolerability of beta blockers in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: is the current underutilization of this evidence-based therapy justified?

Introduction: Beta blockers are one of the cornerstones for treatment of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection fraction (HFRef), yet their use is often limited by adverse effects, either perceived or real. We performed a review of available data using PubMed.gov utilizing beta blocker, heart failure, reduced ejection fraction and safety as key words.

A Single Controlled Exposure to Secondhand Smoke May Not Alter Thrombogenesis or Trigger Platelet Activation.

Introduction: Chronic secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure increases cardiovascular events, particularly acute thrombotic events. There are little human data on acute SHS exposure. The aim of this study was to determine whether a single controlled exposure of humans to SHS increased thrombogenesis.

Medical treatment of hypertension in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) has become an increasingly common problem, accounting for as many as half of all diagnoses of heart failure. Hypertension has been shown to be a major risk factor for the development of HPEF, and the treatment of hypertension is key to both preventing the development of HFPEF as well as mitigating its impact on our health care system. While numerous studies have looked at using various classes of antihypertensive medications to treat HFPEF, there are still no well validated treatment strategies which have shown a significant mortality benefit.