β-adrenergic receptors in heart failure
S Engelhardt - Heart failure clinics, 2005 - heartfailure.theclinics.com
In heart failure, the sympathetic nervous system is activated and catecholamine levels are
enhanced [1]. This contributes to progression of the disease and desensitization of the b-
adrenergic signaling cascade. The central importance of this signaling system is underlined
by the clinical efficacy of b-adrenergic receptor (bAR) blockade in heart failure, which is
regarded as the single most effective therapeutic principle in heart failure treatment [2].
enhanced [1]. This contributes to progression of the disease and desensitization of the b-
adrenergic signaling cascade. The central importance of this signaling system is underlined
by the clinical efficacy of b-adrenergic receptor (bAR) blockade in heart failure, which is
regarded as the single most effective therapeutic principle in heart failure treatment [2].