Beta blockers have proven benefit in the treatment of chronic heart failure. In CIBIS II, the total mortality and the risk of sudden death were reduced in patients treated with Bisoprolol compared to placebo respectively 11.8% vs. 17.3%, p <0001 and 3.6 vs 6.3%, p < 002 regardless of age, NYHA class and co-morbidities. In our study a similar effect of Bisoprolol in chronic heart failure with right ventricular dysfunction is proposed.

This study examined the short-term effect of Bisoprolol on right ventricular function in patients with chronic heart failure with right ventricular dysfunction. A cohort of 60 patients with chronic heart failure with right ventricular dysfunction who were not taking beta-blockers has been previously studied prospectively. The RVEF and LVEF were measured at baseline and followed for 6 months by Doppler echocardiography. Various parameters of the right ventricular function were measured: RVEF, fractional shortening surface, TAPS, Doppler tissue S’DTI tricuspid ring and RV Tei index. The significance level was set at 5%. The maximum dose of Bisoprolol was titrated during four monthly visits by a preestablished protocol to a target dose of 10mg / day.

The average age of participants was 65.7±16.3 years, RVEF at 6 months was 25.6±5.2 and the baseline was 20.8±6.4. The maximum dose of Bisoprolol was 5.7±3.7mg / day. At 6 months the RVEF increased significantly from 7.9% (confidence interval 95%, 03-10.02%, p <0.0001) and left ventricular ejection fraction also increased significantly from 7.5% (range 95% confidence, 4.0-11.9%, p <0.0003). All parameters of right ventricular function were significantly improved.

Treatment with Bisoprolol in chronic heart failure with right ventricular dysfunction at 6 months resulted in a significant improvement in right ventricular ejection fraction, which in parallel with the improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction.