Aims: Beta-blockers (BBs) have been shown to improve survival and reduce the risk of re-infarction in patients following myocardial infarction. There are conflicting data about the effects of BB therapy on cardiac biomarkers after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of BB use on cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) levels in patients who had undergone elective PCI.
Methods and results: In this prospective study, 287 patients with coronary artery disease were included. Patients were randomized either to BB or control groups prior to the intervention. Blood samples for cTnI were obtained before and at 6, 24, and 36 h after the procedure. Of the 287 patients included, 143 received metoprolol succinate 100 mg/day, and 144 received no BB and served as the control group. Baseline clinical characteristics of both groups, except for history of coronary artery bypass graft surgery, were similar. We observed no significant difference in the elevation of cTnI levels between the two groups after PCI (BB group, 17 patients, 11.9%; control group, 10 patients, 6.9%; P=0.2).
Conclusion: Metoprolol succinate therapy seems to have no cardioprotective effect in limiting troponin-I rise after PCI.