Heart failure treatment may be wrong

DALLAS, Nov 15, 2005 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Johns Hopkins University researchers in Baltimore, Md., suggest half of all patients suffering heart failure may be receiving the wrong treatment.

A team of Hopkins scientists found people with so-called non-systolic heart failure -- marked by relatively normal pumping action -- do not have a problem with refilling of the heart after the heart contracts and squeezes out blood. During exercise, the heartbeat does not increase as expected, which limits the capability of these patients to pump blood to the body.

The findings suggest such patients might be better off without beta blockers that slow the heart's beating and worsen blood vessel function. Instead, they may benefit from therapies that speed the heartbeat or drugs that enhance blood vessel dilation.

The results may also help explain why some people with heart failure and relatively normal pumping ability still have severe fatigue performing the simplest of daily tasks.

Lead investigator Dr. Barry Borland says the findings could dramatically change the way cardiologists initially treat patients with that kind of heart failure.

Borlaug presented the study Tuesday during the American Heart Association's annual Scientific Sessions, being held in Dallas.

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