A low-dose β1-blocker effectively and safely slows the heart rate in patients with acute decompensated heart failure and rapid atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Recently, we reported that low-dose landiolol (1.5 mu g.kg(-1).min(-1)), an ultra-short-acting beta-blocker, safely decreased the heart rate (HR) in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and sinus tachycardia, thereby improving cardiac function. We investigated whether low-dose landiolol effectively decreased the HR in ADHF patients with rapid atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: We enrolled 23 ADHF patients with rapid AF (HR >= 120 beats.min(-1) and New York Heart Association class III-IV) and systolic heart failure (SHF: n = 12) or diastolic heart failure (DHF: n = 11) who received conventional therapy with diuretics, vasodilators, and/or low-dose inotropes. They were administered continuous intravenous infusion of low-dose landiolol (1.0-2.0 mu g.kg(-1.)min(-1)), and their electrocardiograms and blood pressures were monitored for 24 h thereafter. Results: Two hours after starting landiolol, the HR was reduced significantly (22%), without a reduction in blood pressure, and remained constant thereafter. The HR reduction 2 h after landiolol administration was significantly greater in the DHF group than in the SHE group. No incidence of hypotension was recorded. Conclusions: Digitalis or amiodarone is currently recommended for HR control in ADHF patients with rapid AF. Our results showed that continuous infusion of low-dose landiolol may also be useful as first-line therapy in these patients. (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel