Beta-blocker use and acute exacerbations of COPD following myocardial infarction: a Danish nationwide cohort study

Analysis of data from 10,884 patients with COPD discharged after first MI found beta-blocker use was associated with a lower risk of acute exacerbations of COPD (adjusted HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.74–0.83), independent of COPD severity, suggesting they are safe in such patients.

SPS commentary:

The authors note that as the study was observational, residual confounding cannot be excluded; in addition detailed clinical data were not available in all patients, so adjustment for COPD severity was only possible in a subgroup.

Thorax