Beta blockers in ischemic heart disease.

Many trials have reported that beta blockers increase survival after myocardial infarction; these trials are reviewed. The timolol trial was randomized and showed that mortality was reduced for all patients randomized to beta blockers. Similar findings have been found in both the metoprolol trial in Göteburg and the Beta-Blocker Heart Attack Trial in the U.S. Chronic beta-blockade therapy appears to reduce mortality in patients who survive acute myocardial infarction. The mechanism is as yet unknown.