[Myocardial infarction: secondary prevention with betablockers].

Invasive or pharmacological treatments at the onset of a myocardial infarction or a few days later, make it possible to decrease the mortality and morbidity through prevention of the ventricular fibrillation, decrease of the size of the infarction, inhibition of platelet aggregation and other mechanisms. Early administration of betablockers results in a significant decrease of the mortality at one year, in patients undergoing an active treatment. Later treatment also results in decreased coronary mortality and morbidity. This article intends to review the most recent information concerning the potential preventive value of beta-blockers after myocardial infarction.