Beta-Blockers as Antiarrhythmic Agents

Beta-adrenergic receptor blockers represent a heterogeneous class with more than 50 years of continuous development. Beta-blockersBeta-blockers are one of the most used therapeutic classes and their efficacy was proven in a wide range of cardiovascular diseases, including arrhythmiasArrhythmias, in both acute and chronic settings. There are multiple beta-blocking agents currently in use, varying in properties like β-selectivity, intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, mode of administration, lipid solubility, or pharmacokineticPharmacokinetics properties. Their main cardiovascular pharmacological effect is related to the competitive β1-receptor blockade. As antiarrhythmics, beta-blockersBeta-blockers usually represent the first choice for controlling heart rate in any supraventricular tachycardiaSupraventricular tachycardias. They proved to be efficient drugs in the prevention of ventricularVentricular arrhythmiasArrhythmias and sudden cardiac deathSudden cardiac death, especially in patients with a history of myocardial infarction or heart failureHeart failure. Beta-blockersBeta-blockers are also the mainstay of therapy in inherited arrhythmiasArrhythmias like catecholaminergic polymorphic tachycardiaTachycardia syndrome or long QT syndromesLong-QT syndrome. Their diversity of pharmacological properties allows the clinician to choose the appropriate agent to fit the appropriate patient.