β3-adrenoceptor antagonism improves clinical outcomes of chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The pathogenesis of CHF is complex but β1-adrenoceptors are critical in the process, because β1-adrenoceptor blockers have been shown to significantly reduce the mortality and hospitalization rates in patients with CHF. Recent animal and human studies have demonstrated that there is an over expression of β3-adrenoceptors in the failing heart, and stimulation of these receptors leads to further depression in ventricular function. We hypothesize that β3-adrenoceptors and their over activities are one of the critical mechanisms of CHF, and addition to conventional heart failure therapies, β3-adrenoceptor antagonism would further improve cardiac function and clinical outcomes.