Preview

Russian Journal of Cardiology

Advanced search

Beta-blocker use in real-world clinical practice. A physician survey analysis by experts of the Eurasian Association of Internal Medicine

https://doi.org/10.15829/1560-4071-2025-6500

EDN: HQCEEC

Abstract

The use of beta-blockers (BB) plays a crucial role in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, there are significant discrepancies with current guidelines in real-world practice. The main issues related to suboptimal dosing regimens and poor medication adherence reduce the effectiveness of therapy and worsen the prognosis of patients. Under the auspices of the Eurasian Association of Internal Medicine (EUIMA), a working group was convened on BB use in real-world practice. The working group aim was to draw attention to the issue of the correctness and specific features of BB prescription by practitioners. The initiative analyzed physician survey data encompassing BB prescription trends, drug selection criteria, class perception, and implementation barriers. The EUIMA working group discussed the survey results and proposed approaches to optimizing BB prescriptions in realworld practice.

About the Authors

G. P. Arutyunov
Eurasian Association of Internal Medicine; Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
Russian Federation

Milyutinsky lane, 18A, room 20A, Moscow, 101000,

Ostrovityanova str., 1, building 6, Moscow, 117513



E. I. Tarlovskaya
Eurasian Association of Internal Medicine; Privolzhsky Research Medical University
Russian Federation

Milyutinsky lane, 18A, room 20A, Moscow, 101000,

Minin and Pozharsky Square, 10/1, Nizhny Novgorod, 603005



T. I. Batluk
Eurasian Association of Internal Medicine
Russian Federation

Milyutinsky lane, 18A, room 20A, Moscow, 101000



A. G. Arutyunov
Eurasian Association of Internal Medicine; Avdalbekyan National Institute of Health
Armenia

Milyutinsky lane, 18A, room 20A, Moscow, 101000,

Komitas Avenue, 49/4, Yerevan



S. R. Gilyarevsky
Russian Clinical and Research Center of Gerontology
Russian Federation

1st Leonova str., 16, Moscow, 129226



O. N. Dzhioeva
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine; Russian University of Medicine
Russian Federation

Petroverigsky Lane, 10, bld. 3, Moscow, 101990, 

Dolgorukovskaya str., 4, Moscow, 127006



D. V. Duplyakov
Samara State Medical University; Polyakov Samara Regional Clinical Cardiology Dispensary
Russian Federation

Chapaevskaya St., 89, Samara, 443099, 

Aerodromnaya St., 43, Zheleznodorozhny district, Samara, 443070



Yu. M. Lopatin
Volgograd State Medical University
Russian Federation

Fallen Fighters Square, 1, Volgograd, 400066



Ya. A. Orlova
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation

Leninskie Gory, 1, Moscow, 119234



References

1. Sanidas E, Böhm M, Oikonomopoulou I, et al. Heart rate-lowering drugs and outcomes in hypertension and/or cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis. Eur Heart J. 2025:ehaf291. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf291.

2. Yan Y, An W, Mei S, et al. Real-world research on beta-blocker usage trends in China and safety exploration based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). BMC Pharmacol Toxicol. 2024;25(1):86. doi:10.1186/s40360-024-00815-w.

3. Galyavich AS, Tereshchenko SN, Uskach TM, et al. 2024 Clinical practice guidelines for Chronic heart failure. Russian Journal of Cardiology. 2024;29(11):6162. (In Russ.) doi:10.15829/1560-4071-2024-6162. EDN: WKIDLJ.

4. McGinlay M, Straw S, Byrom-Goulthorp R, et al. Suboptimal Dosing of β-Blockers in Chronic Heart Failure: A Missed Opportunity? J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2022;37(6):589-94. doi:10.1097/JCN.0000000000000847.

5. Barbarash OL, Karpov YuA, Panov AV, et al. 2024 Clinical practice guidelines for Stable coronary artery disease. Russian Journal of Cardiology. 2024;29(9):6110. (In Russ.) doi:10.15829/1560-4071-2024-6110. EDN: HHJJUT.

6. Eriksen-Volnes T, Westheim A, Gullestad L, et al. β-Blocker Doses and Heart Rate in Patients with Heart Failure: Results from the National Norwegian Heart Failure Registry. Biomed Hub. 2020;5(1):9-18. doi:10.1159/000505474.

7. Tymińska A, Ozierański K, Wawrzacz M, et al. Heart rate control and its predictors in patients with heart failure and sinus rhythm. Data from the European Society of Cardiology Long-Term Registry. Cardiol J. 2022;30(6):964-73. doi:10.5603/CJ.a2022.0076.

8. Böhm M, Swedberg K, Komajda M, et al.; SHIFT Investigators. Heart rate as a risk factor in chronic heart failure (SHIFT): the association between heart rate and outcomes in a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2010;376(9744):886-94. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61259-7.

9. Kaddoura R, Madurasinghe V, Chapra A, et al. Beta-blocker therapy in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (B-HFpEF): A systematic review and meta-analysis. Curr Probl Cardiol. 2024;49(3):102376. doi:10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2024.102376.

10. Peikert A, Bart BA, Vaduganathan M, et al. Contemporary Use and Implications of BetaBlockers in Patients With HFmrEF or HFpEF: The DELIVER Trial. JACC Heart Fail. 2024;12(4):631-44. doi:10.1016/j.jchf.2023.09.007.

11. Matsumoto S, Henderson AD, Shen L, et al. Beta-blocker use and outcomes in patients with heart failure and mildly reduced and preserved ejection fraction. Eur J Heart Fail. 2025;27(1):124-39. doi:10.1002/ejhf.3383.

12. Averkov OV, Harutyunyan GK, Duplyakov DV, et al. 2024 Clinical practice guidelines for Acute myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation electrocardiogram. Russian Journal of Cardiology. 2025;30(3):6306. (In Russ.) doi:10.15829/1560-4071-2025-6306. EDN: IVJCUK.

13. Kobalava ZhD, Konradi AO, Nedogoda SV, et al. 2024 Clinical practice guidelines for Hypertension in adults. Russian Journal of Cardiology. 2024;29(9):6117. (In Russ.) doi:10.15829/1560-4071-2024-6117. EDN: GUEWLU.

14. Pedersen SB, Nielsen JC, Bøtker HE, et al. Long-Term Follow-Up After Acute Myocardial Infarction According to Beta-Blocker Dose. Am J Med. 2023;136(5):458-65. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.02.006.

15. Arakelyan MG, Bockeria LA, Vasilieva EYu, et al. 2020 Clinical guidelines for Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Russian Journal of Cardiology. 2021;26(7):4594. (In Russ.) doi:10.15829/1560-4071-2021-4594. EDN: FUZAAD.

16. Chiu MH, Dong Y, Fine N, et al. Continuation vs Withdrawal of Beta-Blockers and Outcomes After Myocardial Infarction With Preserved Left Ventricular Function. JACC Adv. 2025;4(6 Pt 1):101814. doi:10.1016/j.jacadv.2025.101814.


Supplementary files

  • National and international data confirm discrepancies between actual beta-blocker (BB) prescription practice and current guidelines.
  • Key issues include low BB prescription rates when indicated, the use of suboptimal doses, an overestimation of obstructive lung diseases as contraindications for BB prescription, and low patient adherence.
  • A significant limitation is physicians’ lack of awareness of dose titration, which leads to a false opini­on on low BB efficacy.
  • Positive aspects include physicians’ correct understanding of the target heart rate (HR) when prescribing BB and its achievement in most cases.
  • To optimize BB therapy, it is necessary to implement educational programs emphasizing the pro­ven benefits of dose titration, as well as the deve­lopment of clinical algorithms that simplify achie­ving target HR parameters.

Review

For citations:


Arutyunov G.P., Tarlovskaya E.I., Batluk T.I., Arutyunov A.G., Gilyarevsky S.R., Dzhioeva O.N., Duplyakov D.V., Lopatin Yu.M., Orlova Ya.A. Beta-blocker use in real-world clinical practice. A physician survey analysis by experts of the Eurasian Association of Internal Medicine. Russian Journal of Cardiology. 2025;30(10):6500. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.15829/1560-4071-2025-6500. EDN: HQCEEC

Views: 387

JATS XML


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.


ISSN 1560-4071 (Print)
ISSN 2618-7620 (Online)