Beta-blockers in the treatment of chronic heart failure

The authors discuss in the submitted review the problem of therapeutic use of beta-blockers in the treatment of cardiac failure. n the introduction they emphasize the medical and societal consequences of this disease with emphasis on necessary prevention. In the subsequent part they present a review of the most important clinical studies (completed and under way) focused on the mentioned problem. In the discussion they analyze the role of the sympathetic nervous system in the pathogenesis of cardiac failure and the theoretical basis of the use of beta-blockers in its treatment. In the conclusion they present a summary of practical principles for the use of beta-blockers in this indication.