Pre-discharge initiation of beta-blocker therapy in elderly patients hospitalized for acute decompensation of chronic heart failure: an effective strategy for the implementation of beta-blockade in heart failure.

Abstract Current guidelines recommend beta-blockers in patients with heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. These agents, however, are largely underused in elderly patients because of the perception of up-titration complexity and the fear of side effects. We prospectively assessed the feasibility, safety, tolerability, and 1-year outcome of the in-hospital initiation of carvedilol in elderly patients admitted for worsening heart failure. Among 164 eligible subjects (age > 70 years, left ventricular ejection fraction