The large-scale placebo-controlled beta-blocker studies in systolic heart failure revisited: results from CIBIS-II, COPERNICUS and SENIORS-SHF compared with stratified subsets from MERIT-HF

• AimsThe four pivotal beta-blocker trials in heart failure (HF) had different inclusion criteria, making comparison difficult without patient stratifying. The aim of this study was to compare, in similar patients, the effects of bisoprolol, metoprolol controlled release/extended release (CR/XL), carvedilol and nebivolol on (i) total mortality, (ii) all-cause mortality or hospitalization due to cardiovascular causes (time to first event), (iii) all-cause mortality or hospitalization because of HF and (iv) tolerability, defined as discontinuation of randomized treatment. MethodsWe compared stratified ((s)) subsets in MERIT-HF with patients in CIBIS-II [New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV and ejection fraction (EF) 35%] and COPERNICUS (NYHA III/IV and EF <25%) and in patients with systolic HF in SENIORS-SHF (age 70years and EF 35%). ResultsThe annual mortality rates in the placebo and beta-blocker arms were: (i) CIBIS-II (n=2647), 13.2% vs. 8.8% (relative risk reduction 34%, 95% CI: 19-46, P<0.0001) and MERIT-HFs (n=2002), 14.8% vs. 8.6% (relative risk reduction 42%, 95% CI: 24-56, P<0.0001); (ii) COPERNICUS (n=2289), 19.7% vs. 12.8% (relative risk reduction 35%, 95% CI: 19-48, P=0.0014) and MERIT-HFs (n=795), 19.1% vs. 11.7% (relative risk reduction 39%; 95% CI: 11-58, P=0.0086); (iii) SENIORS-SHF (n= 1359), 11.3% vs. 9.7% (relative risk reduction 16%, NS) and MERIT-HFs (n=985), 14.8% vs. 10.1% (relative risk reduction 32%, 95% CI: 2-53, P=0.038). The effects on the other outcomes assessed were similar. Analyses indicated fewer discontinuations from randomized treatment on beta-blockers compared with placebo in COPERNICUS and the MERIT-HFs subsets. ConclusionThe efficacy and tolerability of bisoprolol, carvedilol and metoprolol CR/XL are similar in patients with systolic HF, irrespective of NYHA class or ejection fraction. Nebivolol is less effective and not better tolerated.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kardiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

beta-blockers

clinical trials

heart failure

randomized-trial

carvedilol

survival

outcomes

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)