Does medical therapy for thoracic aortic aneurysms really work? Are beta-blockers truly indicated? PRO

John A Elefteriades

doi:10.1016/j.ccl.2010.02.016

Does medical therapy for thoracic aortic aneurysms really work? Are beta-blockers truly indicated? PRO

Cardiol Clin. 2010 May;28(2):255-60. doi: 10.1016/j.ccl.2010.02.016.

Author

John A Elefteriades¹

Affiliation

¹ Section of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital, PO Box 208039, New Haven, CT 06520-8039, USA. john.elefteriades@yale.edu

PMID: 20452538
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccl.2010.02.016

Abstract

This article examines the supporting evidence for the widespread use of beta-blocker therapy for chronic thoracic aortic aneurysms and for acute aortic dissection. The historical literature and recent studies are critically reviewed. It concludes that this therapy's usefulness lies in its ability to blunt the severity of the pressure spikes that accompany acute exertion or emotion.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use*
Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / drug therapy*
Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / physiopathology
Aortic Dissection / drug therapy*
Aortic Dissection / physiopathology
Blood Pressure / drug effects
Humans
Stroke Volume / drug effects
Treatment Outcome
Ventricular Function, Left / drug effects

Substances

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists