What was the outcome of the committee's discussion regarding the use of beta-blockers in patients with HF-REF and atrial fibrillation?
The committee was not confident that the evidence showed harm in those prescribed beta-blockers, and the evidence did not show any clinically important reduction in the number of heart-failure hospitalisations in people taking beta-blockers. Due to this uncertainty, the committee did not consider that they could make a recommendation for the use of beta-blockers in those with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and atrial fibrillation. Therefore, the committee agreed to make a research recommendation for a prospective RCT to be undertaken to determine whether or not beta-blockers should be given to patients with HF-REF and AF.