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Objectives. We sought to evaluate the current evidence for an effect of beta-blockade treatment on mortality in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).Background. Although numerous small studies have suggested a benefit with beta-blocker therapy in patients with heart failure, a clear survival benefit has not been demonstrated. A recent combined analysis of several studies with the alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocking agent carvedilol demonstrated a significant survival advantage; however, the total number of events was small. Furthermore, it is unclear if previous studies with other beta-blockers are consistent with this finding.Methods. Randomized clinical trials of beta-blockade treatment in patients with CHF from January 1975 through February 1997 were identified using a MEDLINE search and a review of reports from scientific meetings. Studies were included if mortality was reported during 3 or more months of follow-up.Results. We identified 35 reports, 17 of which met the inclusion criteria. These studies included 3,039 patients with follow-up ranging from 3 months to 2 years. Beta-blockade was associated with a trend toward mortality reduction in 13 studies. When all 17 reports were combined, beta-blockade significantly reduced all-cause mortality (random effect odds ratio [OR] 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54 to 0.88). A trend toward greater treatment effect was noted for nonsudden cardiac death (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.83) compared with sudden cardiac death (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.2). Similar reductions in mortality were observed for patients with ischemic (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.98) and nonischemic cardiomyopathy (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.99). The survival benefit was greater for trials of the drug carvedilol (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.81) than for noncarvedilol drugs (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.12); however, the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.10).Conclusions. Pooled evidence suggests that beta-blockade reduces all-cause mortality in patients with CHF. Additional trials are required to determine whether carvedilol differs in its effect from other agents.(J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;30:27–34)

Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of flosequinan in chronic heart failure. Background. Flosequinan is a new vasodilator drug that acts by interfering with the inositol-triphosphate/protein kinase C pathway, an important mechanism of vasoconstriction. The drug dilates both peripheral arteries and veins, is orally active and has a long duration of action that permits once-daily dosing. Previous studies have shown that flosequinan produces sustained hemodynamic benefits in heart failure, but large scale studies evaluating its clinical efficacy have not been reported. Methods. One hundred ninety-three patients with chronic heart failure (New York Heart Association functional class II or III and left ventricular ejection fraction

This paper details the substance and recommendations arising from a meeting convened by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in August 2009, to assess the challenges and opportunities of emergency department management of acute heart failure syndrome (AHFS). The assembled faculty represented a large cross section of medical professionals spanning the medical management continuum of patients presenting with acute heart failure and included heart failure cardiologists, emergency physicians, laboratory medicine specialists, nurses, and bench scientists. Their recommendations include proposals regarding the design and conduct of emergency department-based clinical trials, suggestions regarding the development of improved methods for early detection and monitoring of AHFS, and potential needs for expanding translational and applied AHFS focused research and biotechnology. We anticipate that this review will serve as a starting point for future investigations across the spectrum of funding sources.

There has been ongoing controversy as to whether aspirin should be used in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The argument for aspirin is that many patients have underlying coronary disease, and aspirin prevents reinfarction and other vascular events. Arguments against the routine use of aspirin are that many CHF patients do not have underlying coronary disease, and that the benefit of aspirin lessens after the first 6 to 12 months after infarction. Also, several analyses suggest that aspirin may actually worsen outcomes in CHF patients, possibly because it inhibits prostaglandins, with resulting adverse hemodynamic and renal effects. Two recent prospective randomized studies have found that aspirin is associated with more frequent hospitalizations for worsening heart failure, although it did not have an adverse effect on vascular events. These results suggest that aspirin should not be routinely used in CHF patients and be avoided in those with refractory CHF, but that it may be beneficial in patients with recent infarction or multiple vascular risk factors.

ObjectivesThis study sought to assess the effects of rolofylline on renal function in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) and renal dysfunction randomized in PROTECT (Placebo-Controlled Randomized Study of the Selective A1 Adenosine Receptor Antagonist Rolofylline for Patients Hospitalized With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure and Volume Overload to Assess Treatment Effect on Congestion and Renal Function).BackgroundSmall studies have indicated that adenosine A1 receptor antagonists enhance diuresis and may improve renal function in patients with chronic heart failure or AHF.MethodsA total of 2,033 patients with AHF, volume overload, estimated creatinine clearance between 20 and 80 ml/min, and elevated natriuretic peptide levels were randomized (2:1) within 24 h of hospital presentation to rolofylline 30 mg/day or intravenous placebo for up to 3 days. Creatinine was measured daily until discharge or day 7 and on day 14. Persistent worsening renal function was defined as an increase in serum creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dl at both days 7 and 14, or initiation of hemofiltration or dialysis or death by day 7.ResultsAt baseline, mean ± SD estimated creatinine clearance was 51.0 ± 20.5 ml/min in the placebo group and 50.4 ± 20.0 ml/min in the rolofylline group. Changes in creatinine and estimated creatinine clearance were similar between placebo- and rolofylline-treated patients during hospitalization and at day 14. After 4 days, mean body weight was reduced by 2.6 and 3.0 kg in placebo and rolofylline patients, respectively (p = 0.005). Persistent worsening renal function occurred in 13.7% of the placebo group and 15.0% of the rolofylline group (odds ratio vs. placebo: 1.11 [95% confidence interval: 0.85 to 1.46]; p = 0.44).ConclusionsIn this large, phase III clinical trial, the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist rolofylline did not prevent persistent worsening renal function in AHF patients with volume overload and renal dysfunction. (A Study of the Selective A1 Adenosine Receptor Antagonist KW-3902 for Patients Hospitalized With Acute HF and Volume Overload to Assess Treatment Effect on Congestion and Renal Function [PROTECT-1], NCT00328692; and [PROTECT-2], NCT00354458)

ObjectivesThis study sought to assess the pharmacokinetics and clinical effects of oral BG9928 in heart failure (HF) patients.BackgroundDeclining renal function during HF treatment is associated with poor outcomes. BG9928, a selective inhibitor of the A1adenosine receptor, is proposed to cause natriuresis without causing a decline in renal function.MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in patients with HF and systolic dysfunction who were receiving standard therapy. Patients were randomized to receive BG9928 (3, 15, 75, or 225 mg) or placebo orally for 10 days. The primary end point was change in sodium excretion. Changes in potassium excretion, creatinine clearance, and body weight also were evaluated.ResultsA total of 50 patients were studied. BG9928 increased sodium excretion compared with placebo, and natriuresis was maintained over 10 days with little kaliuresis. A linear trend in dose response was observed on day 1 (p = 0.04) but not on days 6 or 10. Adjusted creatinine clearance was unchanged over the 10 days. Patients who received 15, 75, or 225 mg of BG9928 had a reduction in body weight compared with placebo (−0.6, −0.7, −0.5, vs. +0.3 kg, respectively) at the end of study. BG9928 was well tolerated. The pharmacokinetic profile of BG9928 was consistent with once-daily dosing.ConclusionsOral BG9928 over the dose range of 3 to 225 mg/day produced significant increases in sodium excretion in patients with stable HF without causing kaliuresis or reducing renal function.