Effect of β-blockers on cardiac and pulmonary events and death in older adults with cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The safety of cardioselective β1-blockers in asthma: literature review and search of global pharmacovigilance safety reports

Introduction

Beta-blockers are key in the management of cardiovascular diseases but blocking airway β₂-receptors can cause severe and sometimes fatal bronchoconstriction in people with asthma. Although cardioselective β₁-blockers may be safer than non-selective β-blockers, they remain relatively contraindicated and under-prescribed. We review the evidence of the risk associated with cardioselective β₁-blocker use in asthma.

Methods

We searched “asthma” AND “beta-blocker” in PubMed and EmbaseOvid from start to May 2020. The World Health Organization (WHO) global database of individual case safety reports (VigiBase) was searched for reports of fatal asthma or bronchospasm and listed cardioselective β₁-blocker use (accessed February 2020). Reports were examined for evidence of pre-existing asthma.

Results

PubMed and EmbaseOvid searches identified 304 and 327 publications, respectively. No published reports of severe or fatal asthma associated with cardioselective β₁-blockers were found. Three large observational studies reported no increase in asthma exacerbations with cardioselective β₁-blocker treatment. The VigiBase search identified five reports of fatalities in patients with pre-existing asthma and reporting asthma or bronchospasm during cardioselective β₁-blocker use. Four of these deaths were unrelated to cardioselective β₁-blocker use. The circumstances of the fifth death were unclear.

Conclusions

There were no published reports of cardioselective β₁-blockers causing asthma death. Observational data suggest that cardioselective β₁-blocker use is not associated with increased asthma exacerbations. We found only one report of an asthma death potentially caused by cardioselective β₁-blockers in a patient with asthma in a search of VigiBase. The reluctance to use cardioselective β₁-blockers in people with asthma is not supported by this evidence.

There are no published reports of asthma deaths associated with cardioselective β1-blocker use and only one possible death in WHO VigiBase reports. Despite widespread concerns, asthma deaths associated with cardioselective β1-blockers are very rare.https://bit.ly/3if6TuY

β-Blockers and the Rate of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations

Objective: To review the rate of exacerbations relative to β-blocker use in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Data Sources: A MEDLINE search (1953 to May 2019) was performed using the search terms beta-blockers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and exacerbations. An EMBASE search was also performed using the search terms chronic obstructive lung disease and beta adrenergic receptor blocking agents (1970 to May 2019). References from the review of literature citations were also identified. Study Selection and Data Extraction: English-language studies assessing COPD exacerbations in patients prescribed a β-blocker were included. Any article not addressing exacerbations was excluded. Data Synthesis: A total of 15 articles were included; 7 articles showed no change, 1 provided mixed results, and 7 indicated a significant decrease in COPD exacerbations in a variety of exacerbation severities. Two of the studies differentiated between cardioselective and noncardioselective β-blockers. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: This work represents an initial assessment of the use of β-blockers to reduce COPD exacerbations. The findings raise the question if β-blockers should be used more frequently in patients with COPD. Conclusions: Based on the limited number of studies that address β-blocker use in COPD, it appears that exacerbations are not increased and may be decreased. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial is in progress to possibly provide more definitive answers to this question. Until the trial is complete, β-blockers should not be withheld in COPD patients who have concurrent cardiovascular conditions, especially where there is a mortality benefit.

COPD and Cardiovascular Disease

COPD is one of the major public health problems in people aged 40 years or above. It is currently the 4th leading cause of death in the world and projected to be the 3rd leading cause of death by 2020. COPD and cardiac comorbidities are frequently associated. They share common risk factors, pathophysiological processes, signs and symptoms, and act synergistically as negative prognostic factors. Cardiac disease includes a broad spectrum of entities with distinct pathophysiology, treatment and prognosis. From an epidemiological point of view, patients with COPD are particularly vulnerable to cardiac disease. Indeed, mortality due to cardiac disease in patients with moderate COPD is higher than mortality related to respiratory failure. Guidelines reinforce that the control of comorbidities in COPD has a clear benefit over the potential risk associated with the majority of the drugs utilized. On the other hand, the true survival benefits of aggressive treatment of cardiac disease and COPD in patients with both conditions have still not been clarified. Given their relevance in terms of prevalence and prognosis, we will focus in this paper on the management of COPD patients with ischemic coronary disease, heart failure and dysrhythmia.

Pharmacological Management of Elderly Patients with Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap Syndrome: Room for Speculation?

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are two distinct diseases that share a condition of chronic inflammation of the airways and bronchial obstruction. In clinical settings, it is not rare to come across patients who present with clinical and functional features of both diseases, posing a diagnostic dilemma. The overlap condition has been termed asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS), and mainly occurs in individuals with long-standing asthma, especially if they are also current or former smokers. Patients with ACOS have poorer health-related quality of life and a higher exacerbation rate than subjects with asthma or COPD alone. Whether ACOS is a distinct nosological entity with genetic variants or rather a condition of concomitant diseases that overlap is still a matter of debate. However, there is no doubt that extended life expectancy has increased the prevalence of asthma and COPD in older ages, and thus the probability that overlap conditions occur in clinical settings. In addition, age-associated changes of the lung create the basis for the two entities to converge on the same subject. ACOS patients may benefit from a stepwise treatment similar to that of asthma and COPD; however, the proposed therapeutic algorithms are only speculative and extrapolated from studies that are not representative of the ACOS population. Inhaled corticosteroids are the mainstay of therapy, and always in conjunction with long-acting bronchodilators. The potential heterogeneity of the overlap syndrome in terms of inflammatory features (T helper-1 vs. T helper-2 pathways) may be responsible for the different responses to treatments. The interaction between respiratory drugs and concomitant diseases should be carefully evaluated. Similarly, the effect of non-respiratory drugs, such as aspirin, statins, and β-blockers, on lung function needs to be properly assessed.

Topical Beta-Blockers and Cardiovascular Mortality: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Data from the EPIC-Norfolk Cohort Study

Purpose: To determine if topical beta-blocker use is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, particularly among people with self-reported glaucoma.

Methods: All participants who participated in the first health check (N = 25,639) of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC) Norfolk cohort (1993–2013) were included in this prospective cohort study, with a median follow-up of 17.0 years. We determined use of topical beta-blockers at baseline through a self-reported questionnaire and prescription check at the first clinical visit. Cardiovascular mortality was ascertained through data linkage with the Office for National Statistics mortality database. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using multivariable Cox regression models. Meta-analysis of the present study’s results together with other identified literature was performed using a random effects model.

Results: We did not find an association between the use of topical beta-blockers and cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.93, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.67–1.30). In the 514 participants with self-reported glaucoma, no association was found between the use of topical beta-blockers and cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.56–1.40). In the primary meta-analysis of four publications, there was no evidence of an association between the use of topical beta-blockers and cardiovascular mortality (pooled HR estimate 1.10, 95% CI 0.84–1.36).

Conclusion: Topical beta-blockers do not appear to be associated with excess cardiovascular mortality. This evidence does not indicate that a change in current practice is warranted, although clinicians should continue to assess individual patients and their cardiovascular risk prior to commencing topical beta-blockers.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease comorbidities

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Classic descriptions of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) centered on its impact on respiratory function. It is currently recognized that comorbidities contribute to the severity of symptoms and COPD progression. Understanding COPD-comorbidities associations could provide innovative treatment strategies and identify new mechanistic pathways to be targeted.

RECENT FINDINGS

Some comorbidities are clustered with specific COPD phenotypes. There are stronger associations between airway-predominant disease and cardio-metabolic comorbidities, whereas in emphysema-predominant COPD sarcopenia and osteoporosis are frequent. These patterns suggest different inflammatory pathways acting by COPD phenotype. Osteoporosis is a major concern in COPD, particularly among men. Although β-blockers use for cardiac indications in COPD remains low, recent evidence suggests that this medication group could decrease COPD exacerbations. Gastroesophageal reflux is consistently associated with poor COPD outcomes, but mechanisms and impact of treatment are still unclear. Nontraditional comorbid conditions, such as cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression have significant impact in COPD outcomes.

SUMMARY

Clinicians should screen their COPD patients for the presence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, sleep apnea, and sarcopenia, comorbidities for which specific treatments are available and associated with better COPD outcomes. The impact of interventions to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, anxiety and depression is still to be defined.

Cross-cultural adaptation and content validation of START

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

Non-treatment of diseases or clinical conditions has been considered to constitute omission of care in several countries. The aim of the present study was to develop a transcultural adaptation of the Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to the Right Treatment (START) to Brazilian Portuguese and to validate the tool's content.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Cultural adaptation and validation of the START criteria using the Delphi consensus technique.

METHOD

START was translated from its original language into Brazilian Portuguese, followed by back-translation and validation by means of the modified Delphi technique. For this, an electronic form was developed and sent to 20 experts, who were asked to use a Likert scale to assess the statements included in START, in relation to their pertinence to Brazilian realities. All of the statements that exhibited mean scores greater than 4.0 were considered to have attained consensus. The experts' identities were kept confidential throughout the validation process.

RESULTS

In the first phase of the validation process, 63.6% (14/22) of the statements in START attained consensus. The remaining statements were returned to the experts so that they could have the opportunity to review their comments and statements and to assess them again, based on the Likert scale used earlier. In this phase, 100% of the START instrument attained consensus.

CONCLUSION

The content of START was entirely validated for Brazil, with all of the original criteria maintained.

β2-adrenoceptor in obstructive airway diseases: Agonism, antagonism or both?

Obstructive airway disease is a complex disease entity including several maladies characterized by bronchoconstriction and abnormal airway inflammation. Reversing bronchoconstriction leads to symptomatic relief and improvement in quality of life, both in reversible (bronchial asthma) and partially reversible (chronic obstructive airway disease) obstructive airway diseases. β₂-adrenoceptor expressed in human airway is the main β-receptor subtype, and its activation in airway smooth muscle cells leads to bronchodilatation. Drugs targeting β-adrenoceptors have been around for many years, for which agonists of the receptors are used in bronchodilation while antagonists are used in cardiovascular diseases. This review article summarizes the effect and usage of β₂-agonist in obstructive airway disease, addressing the benefits and potential risks of β₂-agonist. The article also looks at the safety of β-blocker usage for cardiovascular disease in patients with obstructive airway disease. There is also emerging evidence that non-selective β-blockers with inverse agonism ironically can have long-term beneficial effects in obstructive airway disease that is beyond cardiovascular protection. Further trials are urgently needed in this area as it might lead to a dramatic turnaround in clinical practice for obstructive airway diseases as has already been seen in the usage of β-blockers for heart failure.

Excess costs of comorbidities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Comorbidities are often reported in patients with COPD and may influence the cost of care. Yet, the extent by which comorbidities affect costs remains to be determined.

OBJECTIVES

To review, quantify and evaluate excess costs of comorbidities in COPD.

METHODS

Using a systematic review approach, Pubmed and Embase were searched for studies analyzing excess costs of comorbidities in COPD. Resulting studies were evaluated according to study characteristics, comorbidity measurement and cost indicators. Mark-up factors were calculated for respective excess costs. Furthermore, a checklist of quality criteria was applied.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included. Nine evaluated comorbidity specific costs; three examined index-based results. Pneumonia, cardiovascular disease and diabetes were associated with the highest excess costs. The mark-up factors for respective excess costs ranged between 1.5 and 2.5 in the majority of cases. On average the factors constituted a doubling of respective costs in the comorbid case. The main cost driver, among all studies, was inpatient cost. Indirect costs were not accounted for by the majority of studies. Study heterogeneity was high.

CONCLUSIONS

The reviewed studies clearly show that comorbidities are associated with significant excess costs in COPD. The inclusion of comorbid costs and effects in future health economic evaluations of preventive or therapeutic COPD interventions seems highly advisable.

Overview of the pharmacological challenges facing physicians in the management of patients with concomitant cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and heart failure (HF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often concomitant because they share both risk factors (smoke) and pathological pathways (systemic inflammation). Cardiovascular disease and COPD association is increasing overtime. Several registries clearly showed a negative impact on the clinical outcome of the concomitant presence of CVD and COPD. Patients with CVD and COPD present an increased risk for myocardial infarction, HF, and hospital admission for acute exacerbation of COPD, with a negative impact on prognosis. To reduce the effect of this negative association, it is of paramount importance the pharmacological treatment with both cardiovascular and respiratory drugs, according to current guidelines. Nevertheless, several registries and studies showed that evidence-based drugs (both cardiovascular and respiratory) are often under administered in this subset of patients. In this overview, we summarize the available data regarding the use of cardiovascular drugs (antiplatelet agents, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, β-blockers, and statins) in COPD patients, with or without concomitant IHD. Furthermore, we report advantages and disadvantages of respiratory drugs (β2 agonists, anti-cholinergics, and corticosteroids) administration in COPD patients with CVD.

Managing comorbidities in COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Age and smoking are common risk factors for COPD and other illnesses, often leading COPD patients to demonstrate multiple coexisting comorbidities. COPD exacerbations and comorbidities contribute to the overall severity in individual patients. Clinical trials investigating the treatment of COPD routinely exclude patients with multiple comorbidities or advanced age. Clinical practice guidelines for a specific disease do not usually address comorbidities in their recommendations. However, the management and the medical intervention in COPD patients with comorbidities need a holistic approach that is not clearly established worldwide. This holistic approach should include the specific burden of each comorbidity in the COPD severity classification scale. Further, the pharmacological and nonpharmacological management should also include optimal interventions and risk factor modifications simultaneously for all diseases. All health care specialists in COPD management need to work together with professionals specialized in the management of the other major chronic diseases in order to provide a multidisciplinary approach to COPD patients with multiple diseases. In this review, we focus on the major comorbidities that affect COPD patients. We present an overview of the problems faced, the reasons and risk factors for the most commonly encountered comorbidities, and the burden on health care costs. We also provide a rationale for approaching the therapeutic options of the COPD patient afflicted by comorbidity.