Bucindolol: New hopes from reviewing past data

Abstract

β-Adrenoceptor antagonists or β-blockers are a cornerstone of therapy in chronic heart failure (CHF). Bucindolol hydrochloride is a fourth-generation β-blocker in development for the treatment of CHF. Two trials have been conducted to evaluate its use in CHF, and a third is under way to investigate bucindolol for the reduction of cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations in a genotype-defined heart failure population. This review aims to summarize the history, pharmacology and clinical trials of bucindolol.