Do metoprolol and carvedilol have equivalent effects on diurnal heart rate in patients with chronic heart failure?

Background: Carvedilol exerted a greater reduction in mortality than metoprolol tartrate in the Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET). However, it is unclear if the degree and time course of beta1-blockade during a 24-h period was similar with each agent at the doses used. Therefore we analyzed 24-h ECG Holter recordings from a study which compared the long-term clinical efficacy of metoprolol tartrate to carvedilol in chronic heart failure patients using the same dosing regimen as in COMET.

Is beta-blockade useful in heart failure patients with atrial fibrillation? An analysis of data from two previously completed prospective trials.

Background: Beta-adrenergic blockade is of proven value in chronic heart failure. It is uncertain, however, if beta-blockade provides a similar degree of clinical benefit for heart failure patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) as those in sinus rhythm (SR).

Aims: To compare the effectiveness of beta blockade in patients with heart failure and AF.