The use of beta-blockers in a tertiary care heart failure clinic: dosing, tolerance, and outcomes.

Background: Little is known about the dosing, tolerability, and impact of beta-blockers in nontrial participants. This study was conducted to evaluate the use and outcomes of beta-blockers in a tertiary care heart failure clinic.

Methods: Analysis of prospectively collected data from a cohort of 1041 patients with heart failure seen at the University of Alberta Heart Function Clinic, Edmonton, from September 1, 1989, through July 1, 2001, with objective measurement of ejection fraction at baseline and prospective collection of data at all subsequent clinic visits.