The current role of beta-blockers in chronic heart failure: with special emphasis on the CIBIS III trial
Beta-blockers (bisoprolol, metoprolol succinate, carvedilol, and to some extent nebivolol), given on top of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, improve survival and reduce morbidity in symptomatic stable chronic heart failure (CHF). Early beta-blockade may help to improve survival and especially prevent sudden death, but the usual practice of starting the ACE inhibitor first may lead t