Beta-Blockers and Cardiac Arrhythmias

9780824784508

0824784502

Beta-blockers and Cardiac Arrhythmias comprehensively reviews all available data on the antiarrhythmic actions of beta-blocking agents and places special emphasis on their clinical applications in patients with cardiac tachyarrhythmias.; Supplying the most up-to-date information on the fundamental mechanisms of action of beta-blockers and their role in various clinical subsets of patients with cardiac arrhythmias, Beta-Blockers and Cardiac Arrhythmias furnishes clinically meaningful reports on the practical use of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs. This in-depth, single-source reference: describes the electrophysiologic basis of cardiac action potentials and the effects of beta-agonists and beta-blocking agents; examines possible mechanisms of the cardioprotective effects of beta-blockers; delineates the rational basis for antiarrhythmic action; compares pharmacologic properties as they relate to antiarrhythmic action; details the cardioprotective effects in actue myocardial infarction survivors; elucidates the clinical efficacy of combination therapy; and examines sotalol, a unique beta-blocker with combined class III antiarrhythmic properties.; This monograph is intended for cardiologists, internists, clinical pharmacologists, primary care physicians, and medical school students in these disciplines.