Nebivolol for the Treatment of Arrhythmias: a Narrative Review

• Published in: Current treatment options in cardiovascular medicine 2022-12, Vol.24 (12), p.231-243
• Main Authors: Muresan, Lucian, Rosu, Radu, Cismaru, Gabriel, Gusetu, Gabriel, Muresan, Crina, Martins, Raphaël Pedro, Popa, Stefan, Levy, Jacques, Tranca, Sebastian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angina pectoris; Antiarrhythmics; Arrhythmia (R Kabra; Beta blockers; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiology; Cardiovascular disease; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Clinical medicine; Ejection fraction; FDA approval; Heart attacks; Heart failure; Heart surgery; Human subjects; Hypertension; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Prevention; Section Editor; Systematic review; Topical Collection on Arrhythmia
• ISSN: 1092-8464; 1534-3189
• DOI: 10.1007/s11936-022-00970-5

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.