Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Likowetz, S.
The meaning of ß-receptor antagonists in the treatment of chronic pulmonary disease (COPD)
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Graz Medical University; 2017. pp. 66
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Böhm Eva
- Heinemann Akos
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is very common among elderly patients and often coexists with heart failure or other cardiovascular diseases. The management of patients, suffering from both conditions, is difficult, because the pharmacological treatment of both diseases seems to detrimental. The mainstay therapy in COPD patients is the use of beta-receptor agonists, whereas in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases beta-receptor antagonists are important. Both drugs have a negative impact on the other disease, especially the beta-blockers are thought to have severe pulmonary adverse effects in patients with an obstructive pulmonary disease, such as COPD. However, evidence is increasing, which suggests that the use of beta-blockers in patients with COPD and cardiovascular disease is safe and might even have beneficial effect on mortality and morbidity in those patients. The aim of this study was to determine the meaning of beta-blockers in this patient group and the current perspective on the treatment of patients with COPD and comorbid cardiovascular disease. Literature about the disease and the drugs has been reviewed in order to provide well-grounded information about those central topics. Furthermore, several studies were reviewed to give an outlook on the current perspective and to analyze the meaning of beta-blockers in the treatment of COPD.