Aims: Beta-blockers are given indefinitely to patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with normalization of clinical status and left ventricular function. We sought to determine whether stopping beta-blockers would have adverse effects on left ventricular (LV) remodeling and clinical status. Methods and Results: Eleven consecutive patients in NYHA class I with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and normalization of left ventricular function were recruited. The mean duration of heart failure was 23.3 ± 5.6 months. Seven patients were taken off beta-blockers (BBOFF) and 3 patients remained on (BBON). The BBOFF group were significantly heavier and younger. At 12 months, the systolic blood pressure had decreased significantly only in the BBOFF group when compared to baseline. The left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI) and left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) in the BBON group were significantly smaller than in the BBOFF group at 3 months and 6 months. Whilst the LVEDVI and LVESVI remained the same in the BBOFF group, they continued to decrease in the BBON group. At 12 months, all patients were still in NYHA I and were alive. Conclusions: Discontinuing beta-blockers in our study patients did not produce any adverse effects on LV remodeling or clinical outcome. (193 words)
