Effect of [Beta] blockers on mortality after myocardial infarction in adults with COPD: populaton based cohort study of UK electronic healthcare records

• Published in: BMJ. British medical journal (International ed.) Vol. 348; no. 7939; p. 13
• Main Authors: Quint, J K, Herrett, E, Bhaskaran, K, Timmis, A, Hemingway, H, Wedzicha, J A, Smeeth, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group 04-01-2014
• Edition: International edition
• Subjects: Beta blockers; Cardiology; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Clinical outcomes; Heart attacks; Prescription drugs
• ISSN: 0959-8146

Here, Quint et al investigate whether the use and timing of prescription of β blockers in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) having a first myocardial infarction was associated with survival and to identify factors related to their use. Among 1063 patients with COPD, treatment with β blockers started during the hospital admission for myocardial infarction was associated with substantial survival benefits (fully adjusted hazard ratio 0.50, 95% confidence interval 0.36 to 0.69; P<0.001; median follow-up time 2.9 years). Patients already taking a βblocker before their myocardial infarction also had a survival benefit (0.59, 0.44 to 0.79; P<0.001). The use of β blockers started either at the time of hospital admission for myocardial infarction or before a myocardial infarction is associated with improved survival after myocardial infarction in patients with COPD.