The implications of a growing evidence base for drug use in elderly patients. Part 3. Beta-adrenoceptor blockers in heart failure and thrombolytics in acute myocardial infarction.

Beta-adrenoceptor blockers and thrombolytic agents are of established value in the pharmacological management of heart failure and ST-elevation myocardial infarction, respectively. However, there is uncertainty as to whether these therapeutic strategies can be safely and effectively adopted in elderly patients with comorbidities, particularly in old-old individuals. This review focuses on these trials and the age-related efficacy and safety of these drugs.