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Role of ?-blocker therapy in pediatric heart failure.

ABSTRACT: Heart failure is becoming an increasingly common and significant problem in the field of pediatric cardiology. The numerous types of cardiomyopathies, and more recently, long-term survival of patients with congenital heart disease, have added to a growing patient population. Over the last several decades, our knowledge base regarding mechanisms of disease and therapeutic intervention in adult patients with heart failure has drastically changed. The most recent and important breakthrough in the pharmacologic treatment of heart failure has been the particular role of ?-blocker therapy. This medication has led to significant improvements in survival and symptoms in adults, with less convincing findings in limited studies in pediatrics. The ability to study the benefits of this therapy in patients has been challenging owing to the heterogeneity of the patient population and lack of large sample sizes. However, as we investigate the mechanisms behind the disease process, the differences that exist between disease conditions and ages, and the significant alterations that may exist at the molecular and genetic level, our understanding of ?-blocker therapy in pediatric heart failure will improve, and ultimately may lead to patient-specific therapy.

SUBMITTER: Patel AR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3143493 | biostudies-other | 2010

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Role of β-blocker therapy in pediatric heart failure.

Patel Akash R AR Shaddy Robert E RE

Pediatric health 20100101 1

Heart failure is becoming an increasingly common and significant problem in the field of pediatric cardiology. The numerous types of cardiomyopathies, and more recently, long-term survival of patients with congenital heart disease, have added to a growing patient population. Over the last several decades, our knowledge base regarding mechanisms of disease and therapeutic intervention in adult patients with heart failure has drastically changed. The most recent and important breakthrough in the p ...[more]

PMID: 21799703

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Project description:BackgroundBeta-blockers reduce mortality among patients with systolic heart failure (HF), yet primary care provider prescription rates remain low.ObjectiveTo examine the association between primary care physician characteristics and both self-reported and actual prescription of beta-blockers among patients with systolic HF.DesignCross-sectional survey with supplementary retrospective chart review.ParticipantsPrimary care providers at three New York City Veterans Affairs medical centers.MeasurementsMAIN OUTCOMES WERE: 1) self-reported prescribing of beta-blockers, and 2) actual prescribing of beta-blockers among HF patients. Physician HF practice patterns and confidence levels, as well as socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, were also assessed.ResultsSixty-nine of 101 physicians (68%) completed the survey examining self-reported prescribing of beta-blockers. Physicians who served as inpatient ward attendings self-reported significantly higher rates of beta-blocker prescribing among their HF patients when compared with physicians who did not attend (78% vs. 58%; p = 0.002), as did physicians who were very confident in managing HF patients when compared with physicians who were not (82% vs. 68%; p = 0.009). Fifty-one of these 69 surveyed physicians (74%) were successfully matched to 287 HF patients for whom beta-blocker prescribing data was available. Physicians with greater self-reported rates of prescribing beta-blockers were significantly more likely to actually prescribe beta-blockers (p = 0.02); however, no other physician characteristics were significantly associated with actual prescribing of beta-blockers among HF patients.ConclusionsPhysician teaching responsibilities and confidence levels were associated with self-reported beta-blocker prescribing among their HF patients. Educational efforts focused on improving confidence levels in HF care and increasing exposure to teaching may improve beta-blocker presciption in HF patients managed in primary care.