Impact of beta2-agonists, beta-blockers, and their combination on cardiac function in elderly male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine the association between cardiac function and therapy with beta2-adrenoceptor agonists (β(2)-agonists), β-blockers, or β-blocker–β-agonist combination therapy in elderly male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 220 elderly male COPD patients (mean age 84.1 ± 6.9 years). The patients were divided into four groups on the basis of the use of β-blockers and β(2)-agonists. N-terminal fragment pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and other relevant parameters were measured and recorded. At follow-up, the primary end point was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed no significant associations between NT pro-BNP and the use of β(2)-agonists (β = 35.502, P = 0.905), β-blockers (β = 3.533, P = 0.989), or combination therapy (β = 298.635, P = 0.325). LVEF was not significantly associated with the use of β(2)-agonists (β = −0.360, P = 0.475), β-blockers (β = −0.411, P = 0.284), or combination therapy (β = −0.397, P = 0.435). Over the follow-up period, 52 patients died, but there was no significant difference in mortality among the four groups (P = 0.357). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed no significant difference among the study groups (log-rank test, P = 0.362). After further multivariate adjustment, use of β(2)-agonists (hazard ratio [HR] 0.711, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.287–1.759; P = 0.460), β-blockers (HR 0.962, 95% CI 0.405–2.285; P = 0.930), or combination therapy (HR 0.638, 95% CI 0.241–1.689; P < 0.366) were likewise not correlated with mortality. CONCLUSION: There was no association between the use of β(2)-agonists, β-blockers, or β-blocker-β(2)-agonist combination therapy with cardiac function and all-cause mortality in elderly male COPD patients, which indicated that they may be used safely in this population.