Table 1.

Summary of four clinical trials evaluating the effects of β-adrenergic blockade therapy in patients with sepsis

Reference number	Generic name of β-blocker	Method of administration	Dose of drug	Duration of therapy	Effects on hemodynamics	Mortality
61	Propranolol	Continuous iv infusion	5 mg for 2–3 h, followed by 5 mg for 6–12 h	8–15 h	HR↓ Cardiac output↓ Blood pressure↑ Urinary output↑	27.3% No control
65	Esmolol	Continuous iv infusion	6–22 mg/min (dose to reduce HR by 20%)	3 h	HR↓ Cardiac output↓ SVR→ Hepatic blood flow→	No data
66	Metoprolol with milrinone	Enteral administration	25–47.5 mg/day (target range of 65–95 bpm)	48 h	HR↓ Cardiac output→ Catecholamine dose↓ SVI↑	28-day mortality: 33%
67	Esmolol	Continuous iv infusion	Median dose of 100 mg/h (dose to maintain HR from 80 to 94 bpm)	Until ICU discharge or death	HR↓ Cardiac index→ Mean blood pressure→ Norepinephrine dose↓ SVI↑	28-day mortality: Control 80.5% Esmolol 49.4%

bpm beats per minute, HR heart rate, ICU intensive care unit, iv intravenous, SVI stroke volume index