A Schuchert1. 1. Medical Clinic III, University-Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany. schuchert@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Abstract
UNLABELLED: Primary care physicians prescribe beta-blockers for chronic heart failure infrequently. The aims of the study were to assess the effects of beta-blocker treatment in out-clinic patients with regard to NYHA class and frequency of adverse events. Beta-blocker treatment was initiated and followed up by primary care physicians. METHODS: Chronic heart failure patients already treated with ACE-inhibitors and diuretics were included. The 24-week follow-up consisted of a titration phase followed by a maintenance phase. The patients received the beta-blocker bisoprolol with an initial dose of 1.25 mg and a maximal dose of 10 mg. RESULTS: NYHA class II, III and IV had 174, 146, and one patient, respectively. Treatment duration lasted 189+/-73 days with a maximal bisoprolol dose of 7.2+/-3.2 mg. Sixty-one percent of the patients tolerated at least 7.5 mg bisoprolol. The NYHA class improved from 2.4+/-0.5 at baseline to 1.8+/-0.6 at week 24 (P<0.001). At final assessment, 74% of the patients showed an improvement. The number of permanent treatment withdrawals was 57 (17%). Death occurred in six patients and hospitalisation in 38 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Bisoprolol treatment in patients with chronic heart failure was effectively and safely carried out by primary care physicians.
UNLABELLED: Primary care physicians prescribe beta-blockers for chronic heart failure infrequently. The aims of the study were to assess the effects of beta-blocker treatment in out-clinic patients with regard to NYHA class and frequency of adverse events. Beta-blocker treatment was initiated and followed up by primary care physicians. METHODS:Chronic heart failurepatients already treated with ACE-inhibitors and diuretics were included. The 24-week follow-up consisted of a titration phase followed by a maintenance phase. The patients received the beta-blocker bisoprolol with an initial dose of 1.25 mg and a maximal dose of 10 mg. RESULTS: NYHA class II, III and IV had 174, 146, and one patient, respectively. Treatment duration lasted 189+/-73 days with a maximal bisoprolol dose of 7.2+/-3.2 mg. Sixty-one percent of the patients tolerated at least 7.5 mg bisoprolol. The NYHA class improved from 2.4+/-0.5 at baseline to 1.8+/-0.6 at week 24 (P<0.001). At final assessment, 74% of the patients showed an improvement. The number of permanent treatment withdrawals was 57 (17%). Death occurred in six patients and hospitalisation in 38 patients. CONCLUSIONS:Bisoprolol treatment in patients with chronic heart failure was effectively and safely carried out by primary care physicians.
Authors: J Malcom O Arnold; Jonathan G Howlett; Paul Dorian; Anique Ducharme; Nadia Giannetti; Haissam Haddad; George A Heckman; Andrew Ignaszewski; Debra Isaac; Philip Jong; Peter Liu; Elizabeth Mann; Robert S McKelvie; Gordon W Moe; John D Parker; Anna M Svendsen; Ross T Tsuyuki; Kelly O'Halloran; Heather J Ross; Vivek Rao; Errol J Sequeira; Michel White Journal: Can J Cardiol Date: 2007-01 Impact factor: 5.223
Authors: M L A Luttik; M Brons; T Jaarsma; H L Hillege; A Hoes; R de Jong; G Linssen; D J Lok; M Berger; D J van Veldhuisen Journal: Neth Heart J Date: 2012-08 Impact factor: 2.380