BACKGROUND:Diuretics are the most prescribed medication for heart failure (HF) patients, but clinical evidence of the long-term effects of diuretics are lacking. The present study was designed to compare the therapeutic effects of furosemide, a short-acting loop diuretic, and azosemide, a long-acting one, in patients with HF to test the hypothesis that long-acting diuretics are superior therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Japanese Multicenter Evaluation of LOng- vs short-acting Diuretics In Congestive heart failure (J-MELODIC) is a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial enrolling a total of 300 patients (150 patients in each group). The primary outcome is a composite of cardiovascular death and unplanned admission to hospital for congestive HF. Other outcomes include all-cause mortality, worsening of the symptoms of HF, or a need for modification of therapy. Serial assessment of echocardiographic and neurohumoral parameters will be conducted over a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: The study results will provide important evidence for the treatment of chronic HF.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Diuretics are the most prescribed medication for heart failure (HF) patients, but clinical evidence of the long-term effects of diuretics are lacking. The present study was designed to compare the therapeutic effects of furosemide, a short-acting loop diuretic, and azosemide, a long-acting one, in patients with HF to test the hypothesis that long-acting diuretics are superior therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Japanese Multicenter Evaluation of LOng- vs short-acting Diuretics In Congestive heart failure (J-MELODIC) is a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial enrolling a total of 300 patients (150 patients in each group). The primary outcome is a composite of cardiovascular death and unplanned admission to hospital for congestive HF. Other outcomes include all-cause mortality, worsening of the symptoms of HF, or a need for modification of therapy. Serial assessment of echocardiographic and neurohumoral parameters will be conducted over a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: The study results will provide important evidence for the treatment of chronic HF.