Researchers at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital have published a study on the effectiveness of beta-blockers, a cardioprotective drug that is recommended for patients with myocardial infarction.

Professors Yoon Chang-hwan (left) and Park Jin-joo

The team, led by Professors Yoon Chang-hwan and Park Jin-joo at the hospital, analyzed 2,271 patients with acute myocardial infarction from June 2003 to February 2015.

The researchers divided the patients into two groups – high heart rate patients with at least 75 beats per minute and low heart rate patients with less than 75 beats – after noting that beta-blockers usually shows its efficacy by lowering the patient's heart rate.

The results showed that beta-blockers were not effective in patients with cardiac function without heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction that had low heart rates.

Also, the results of the data analysis showed that the use of beta-blockers showed a significant death prevention effect in the high heart rate group. However, the treatment effect of the beta-blocker in the low heart rate group was not apparent.

"Beta-blockers are good cardioprotective drugs, but they can accompany various side effects, such as orthostatic hypotension, lethargy, bradycardia," Professor Park said. "Through the study, we expect that the drug prescriptions will change in the future due to the low or unlikely effect of the drug depending on the patient's heart rate."

Mayo Clinic Proceedings published the results of the research on its December issue.

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