Do Selective Beta, Blockers Affect Chronic Heart Failure Related to Rheumatic Fever?
The evidence supports a profound protective effect of beta blockers in their ability to inhibit activation of the neuro-endocrine system in regard to chronic HF: (1) the early activation of the sympathetic nervous system in chronic HF; (2) the beneficial effect of beta blockers [...]

Fundamental Characteristics
Eleven treated patients (25%) and nine control patients (20.5%) did not complete the study. Among the treated patients, five (11.3%) withdrew because of suspected ADEs from generic bisoprolol: weakness, dizziness, and dyspnea. No severe hypotension occurred in either group. Fourteen patients were excluded from the evaluation at follow-up. Seven patients had echocardiographic or 24-hour [...]

Study Population
We identified 143 patients with HF related to RHD and AF from our hospital’s cardiology ward between August 2000 and March 2002. Thirty-seven patients did not meet all of the inclusion criteria for enrollment, and 18 patients had clinical or echocardiographic data that caused them to be ineligible. Thus 88 patients were included in [...]

INTRODUCTION
Traditionally, chronic heart failure (HF) has been attributed to a reduced systolic left ventricular (LV) function, accompanied by an increase in LV filling pressures and volumes (also called “systolic HF”). The important role of neuro-hormones in the pathophysiology of chronic HF is well recognized. Chronic HF is characterized by an increased activity of the neurohormonal [...]