The effect of metoprolol on myocardial function, perfusion and hemodynamics in symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.
Novo Nordisk Foundation
University of Aarhus
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is a hereditary disease with thickening of the heart muscle, causing shortness of breath and fatigue. Symptoms are provoked by exercise. No curable treatment exists, and the first step in managing symptoms is with the use of the medicine beta-blocker (BB). Metoprolol is the most commonly used BB in HOCM patients, but evidence of the presumed positive effect is very sparse. In a group of HOCM patients, we will carry out the so far largest study of metoprolols effect on the cardiac function during exercise. Patients will be examined with blood pressure catheters in the chambers of the right heart at rest and while conducting a bicycle load test. Each patient is examined twice, during metoprolol and during placebo treatment. The results will 1) document the effects of metoprolol in HOCM patients 2) provide unique insight into disease mechanisms in HOCM, and 3) guide whether a HOCM patient should be offered more invasive treatment.
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