A curious case of β-blockers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
ß-BLOCKERS ARE HIGHLY EFFICACIOUS IN THE treatment of congestive heart failure and
ischemic coronary syndromes and can reduce the total mortality of patients with these
disorders by 30% to 40%. 1 However, their use is frequently withheld in patients who have
coexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because clinicians fear that ß-
blockers will provoke bronchospasm and induce respiratory failure in these patients. Not
surprisingly, large epidemiological studies have shown that fewer than one-third of patients …
ischemic coronary syndromes and can reduce the total mortality of patients with these
disorders by 30% to 40%. 1 However, their use is frequently withheld in patients who have
coexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because clinicians fear that ß-
blockers will provoke bronchospasm and induce respiratory failure in these patients. Not
surprisingly, large epidemiological studies have shown that fewer than one-third of patients …