Effects of Carvedilol on Functional Capacity, Left Ventricular Function, Catecholamines, and Oxidative Stress in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Abstract

Carvedilol is an antioxidant and adrenergic antagonist with demonstrated benefits in terms of mortality from heart failure (HF). The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical parameters, left ventricular function, oxidative stress levels and neurohumoral status at baseline and after 6 months of treatment with carvedilol in patients with chronic HF. Thirty patients with chronic HF that was stable without beta blocker treatment were included. Functional class was II or III, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was < 40%. Mahler score, distance walked in 6 min, peak oxygen consumption, LVEF, plasma catecholamine (norepinephrine) concentration and oxidative stress parameters were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months of treatment with carvedilol. Mean age was 59 (2) years, and 23 patients were men. After 6 months of treatment there were clinical improvements as measured by the Mahler score (from 6.8 to 11.0 points; P=.001) and the 6-min walk distance (from 499 [18] to 534 [17] m; P =.032), but no changes in peak oxygen consumption. The LVEF increased from 24 (1) to 31 (2)% (P=.003). In patients with chronic HF, plasma malondialdehyde concentration was significantly lower after 6 months (decrease from 2.4 [0.2] to 1.1 [0.2] micromol/l; P<.001). No significant changes were observed in plasma catecholamine levels or antioxidant enzyme activities. In patients with chronic HF, carvedilol treatment for 6 months was associated with clinical improvements, increased left ventricular function and decreased plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde, with no changes in plasma catecholamine levels.