Is target dose the treatment target? Uptitrating beta-blockers for heart failure in the elderly

BACKGROUND: Guideline-recommended beta-blocker (BB) target doses for patients with chronic heart failure can often not be reached. This secondary analysis of the CIBIS-ELD trial was carried out to better understand reasons for not achieving target doses. METHODS: Changes in heart rate (HR) and other parameters during a 12-week up-titration period in 302 BB naïve patients were evaluated in the subgroups achieving 12.5, 25, 50, and 100% of the target dose (groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). RESULTS: Achieved doses predominantly depended on baseline HR (means 68, 74, 76, and 84bpm in groups 1-4, respectively, P<0.001). HR was consistently reduced with each dose level to 65, 63, and 62bpm in groups 1-3 and to 71bpm in group 4 (P<0.001). When adjusted for baseline, HR reduction achieved in group 3 was better than in group 4 (difference -5.4bpm, P<0.05). More patients in groups 3/4 than in groups 1/2 improved in NYHA class (P=0.01). NTproBNP increased by 38% in group 4 (P<0.01) but not in the others (P