Lack of Association Between Adrenergic Receptor Genotypes and Survival in Heart Failure Patients Treated With Carvedilol or Metoprolol Original Research Article

Objectives This study investigated the role of adrenergic receptor genetics on transplant-free survival in heart failure (HF). Background Discordant results exist for genetic associations between adrenergic receptor alleles and end points of β-blocker response in HF patients. Methods We identified 637 patients enrolled in 2 U.S. cardiovascular genetic registries with HF and left ventricular systolic dysfunction who were discharged on β-blocker, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), and diuretic medications. End points were determined through the national Social Security Death Master File and transplant records. We genotyped 5 polymorphisms in 3 genes: ADRB1 (S49G, R389G), ADRB2 (G16R, Q27E), and ADRA2C (Del322-325) using 5′ nuclease assays and performed a multivariable clinical-genetic analysis. Results A total of 190 events (29.8%) occurred over a median follow-up of 1,070 days. Multivariable analysis showed a significant effect of 4 clinical factors on survival: age (p = 0.006), gender (p = 0.005), ejection fraction (p = 0.0002), and hemoglobin (p = 0.00010). There was no significant effect of the polymorphisms or haplotypes analyzed on survival. Conclusions Genotypes and haplotypes of ADRB1, ADRB2, and ADRA2C did not significantly affect survival in metoprolol-treated or carvedilol-treated HF patients in this study. These results complement the findings of 2 similarly designed previous studies, but do not replicate an association of ADRB2 haplotypes and survival. All 3 studies differ from a survival benefit reported for bucindolol-treated homozygous ADRB1 R389 individuals. This may be attributable to a drug-specific interaction between genotype and outcome with bucindolol that does not seem to occur with metoprolol or carvedilol.