The Effect of Metoprolol on β-adrenergic Receptor Density in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

ObjectiveTo study β-adrenergic receptor density of lymphocyte and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) in chronic heart failure patients with metoprolol.In sixty-eight cases with chronic heart failure, 32 cases were treated with traditional methods(control group) and 36 cases treated with traditional methods and metoprolol(treatment group). The binding of β-adrenergic receptor was measured in using 3H-CGP12177 as ligand. LVEF was measured by echocardiography.Compared with control group, the cardiac function in chronic heart failure patients treated with metoprolol was significantly improved. The β-adrenergic receptor density and LVEF were increased at the second month in treatment group, but there was no change in control group.[Conclusion]Treatment of chronic heart failure with metoprolol can obviously improve cardiac function. The β-adrenergic receptor density of lymphocyte up-regulation is a sensitive index of metoprolol effectiveness.