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Nebivolol for the Treatment of Arrhythmias: a Narrative Review

  • Arrhythmia (R Kabra, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of review

Beta blockers are currently widely used for the treatment of arrhythmias, due to their beneficial properties of sympathetic tone decrease and arrhythmia suppression, which translates into both mortality and morbidity reduction in different types of populations. However, due to their different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, not all beta-blockers are currently approved for the treatment of arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to analyze the current existing evidence regarding nebivolol for the treatment of both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias.

Recent findings

Using the keywords “nebivolol” plus “arrhythmia” or “atrial fibrillation” or “ventricular tachycardia” or “premature ventricular complexes”, the Medline database was searched for articles in English assessing the role of nebivolol in the treatment of arrhythmias. Data was then sorted according to the type of study (basic science/animal studies vs. human studies), the type of arrhythmia treated and the quality of evidence.

A number of 42 studies were identified, of which 10 were considered relevant to the current topic. Among these 10 studies, 4 were basic science/animal studies and 6 were performed on human subjects. Most studies are based on small populations of subjects. Four studies on human subjects address the role of nebivolol in the treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias, two assessed its role in the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias.

Summary

Little evidence exists regarding the role of nebivolol in the treatment of both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Until further evidence accumulates, nebivolol should not be the first beta blocker chosen when treating arrhythmias.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology Department, Emile Muller” Hospital, 68100, Mulhouse, France

    Lucian Muresan MD, PhD, Crina Muresan MD, PhD & Jacques Levy MD

  2. Cardiology Department, Rehabilitation Hospital, 400347, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania

    Radu Rosu MD, PhD, Gabriel Cismaru MD, PhD & Gabriel Gusetu MD, PhD

  3. Cardiology Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France

    Raphaël Pedro Martins MD, PhD

  4. Second Medical Clinic County Hospital, Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania

    Stefan Popa MD, PhD

  5. Clinical Emergency County Hospital, Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care II, Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania

    Sebastian Tranca MD, PhD

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Lucian Muresan declares that he has no conflict of interest. Radu Rosu declares that he has no conflict of interest. Gabriel Cismaru declares that he has no conflict of interest. Gabriel Gusetu declares that he has no conflict of interest. Crina Muresan declares that she has no conflict of interest. Raphaël Pedro Martins declares that he has no conflict of interest. Stefan Popa declares that he has no conflict of interest. Jacques Levy declares that he has no conflict of interest. Sebastian Tranca declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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Muresan, L., Rosu, R., Cismaru, G. et al. Nebivolol for the Treatment of Arrhythmias: a Narrative Review. Curr Treat Options Cardio Med 24, 231–243 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11936-022-00970-5

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