Pattern of use of β-blockers in older patients with stable coronary artery disease: An observational, cross-sectional, multicentre survey

Background: Several drugs, including b-blockers (β-adrenoceptor antagonists), are largely under-utilized in older patients with cardiovascular disease. Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate whether older patients (aged ≥65 years) with coronary artery disease (CAD) have a different pattern of use of β-blockers than younger adult patients (aged 2) tests Results: Up to 47% of older patients were not receiving β blockers, and this percentage progressively increased with age, with the oldest patients showing the lowest rate of utilization. No gender difference in the pattern of use of β-blockers was noted. The prescription of β-blockers was higher in patients with heart failure (HF) than in patients without HF. The presence of HF abolished the decrease in β-blocker use with age. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that lower age and severe HF were independent predictors of β-blocker use in older people. Conclusions: Age appears to be a key factor in the under-prescription of β-blockers in CAD outpatients. Despite the recommendations, and the efforts of cardiologists, the use of β-blockers in the elderly is still limited, possibly because of practical constraints such as adverse effects and co-morbidity. In patients with HF, age is less important in determining the use of β-blockers.