| 1. |
- Metra, M., et al.
(författare)
-
Influence of heart rate, blood pressure, and beta-blocker dose on outcome and the differences in outcome between carvedilol and metoprolol tartrate in patients with chronic heart failure: results from the COMET trial
- 2005
-
Ingår i: European heart journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 26:21, s. 2259-68
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: We studied the influence of heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and beta-blocker dose on outcome in the 2599 out of 3029 patients in Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET) who were alive and on study drug at 4 months after randomization (time of first visit on maintenance therapy). METHODS AND RESULTS: By multivariable analysis, baseline HR, baseline SBP, and their change after 4 months were not independently related to subsequent outcome. In a multivariable analysis including clinical variables, HR above and SBP below the median value achieved at 4 months predicted subsequent increased mortality [relative risk (RR) for HR>68 b.p.m. 1.333; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.152-1.542; P<0.0001 and RR for SBP>120 mmHg 0.78; 95% CI 0.671-0.907; P<0.0013]. Achieving target beta-blocker dose was associated with a better outcome (RR 0.779; 95% CI 0.662-0.916; P<0.0025). The superiority of carvedilol as compared to metoprolol tartrate was maintained in a multivariable model (RR 0.767; 95% CI 0.663-0.887; P=0.0004) and there was no interaction with HR, SBP, or beta-blocker dose. CONCLUSION: Beta-blocker dose, HR, and SBP achieved during beta-blocker therapy have independent prognostic value in heart failure. None of these factors influenced the beneficial effects of carvedilol when compared with metoprolol tartrate at the pre-defined target doses used in COMET.
|
|
| 2. |
- Cleland, J. G., et al.
(författare)
-
A comparison of the effects of carvedilol and metoprolol on well-being, morbidity, and mortality (the "patient journey") in patients with heart failure: a report from the Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET)
- 2006
-
Ingår i: Journal of the American College of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1558-3597 .- 0735-1097. ; 47:8, s. 1603-11
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the loss of well-being, in terms of life-years, overall and in patients randomized to metoprolol versus carvedilol in the Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET). BACKGROUND: The ultimate objectives of treating patients with heart failure are to relieve suffering and prolong life. Although the effect of treatment on mortality is usually described in trials, the effects on patient well-being throughout the trials' courses are rarely reported. METHODS: A total of 3,029 patients randomized in the COMET study were included in the analysis. "Patient journey" was calculated by adjusting days alive and out of hospital over four years using a five-point score completed by the patient every four months, adjusted according to the need for intensification of diuretic therapy. Scores ranged from 0% (dead or hospitalized) to 100% (feeling very well). RESULTS: Over 48 months, 17% of all days were lost through death, 1% through hospitalization, 23% through impaired well-being, and 2% through the need for intensified therapy. Compared with metoprolol, carvedilol was associated with fewer days lost to death, with no increase in days lost due to impaired well-being or days in hospital. The "patient journey" score improved from a mean of 54.8% (SD 26.0) to 57.4% (SD 26.3%) (p < 0.0068). CONCLUSIONS: Despite treatment with beta-blockers, heart failure remains associated with a marked reduction in well-being and survival. Loss of quality-adjusted life-years through death and poor well-being seemed of similar magnitude over four years, and both were much larger than the loss that could be attributed to hospitalization.
|
|
| 3. |
- Cleland, J. G., et al.
(författare)
-
A description of the clinical characteristics at baseline of patients recruited into the Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET)
- 2004
-
Ingår i: Cardiovascular drugs and therapy / sponsored by the International Society of Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy. - 0920-3206. ; 18:2, s. 139-52
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND & AIMS: The COMET trial was a prospective, double-blind, randomised trial comparing carvedilol, a comprehensive adrenergic receptor antagonist, with metoprolol, a beta-1-selective agent in patients with heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The trial showed a reduction in mortality with carvedilol that was consistent across subgroups. The purpose of this report is to describe in greater detail the heterogeneity of this population at baseline with particular reference to the impact of symptomatic severity, age and gender on patient characteristics. METHODS: A descriptive report using data entered in the COMET study data-base. RESULTS: The characteristics of the population studied were similar to those reported in previous trials of beta-blockers. Almost all patients were receiving diuretics and ACE inhibitors with few patients taking angiotensin receptor blockers. As expected, older patients had more co-morbidity. Older patients and women reported worse symptoms and poorer well-being despite similar ventricular dimensions and systolic dysfunction. NT-proBNP was higher in patients with more severe symptoms and older patients but not in women, although differences in NT-proBNP may have been confounded by differences in renal function. CONCLUSION: Age and gender, as well as the severity of cardiac dysfunction, appear to have an important effect on the severity of heart failure symptoms and patient 'well-being'. This could have important implications for the relationship between symptoms and prognosis and therefore the way in which patients are selected for clinical trials and the goals of treatment. This will be the subject of further analyses.
|
|
| 4. |
- Di Lenarda, A., et al.
(författare)
-
Exchange of beta-blockers in heart failure patients. Experiences from the poststudy phase of COMET (the Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial)
- 2005
-
Ingår i: European journal of heart failure. - : Wiley. - 1388-9842. ; 7:4, s. 640-9
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET) reported a significant survival benefit for carvedilol, a beta1-, beta2- and alpha1-blocker, vs. metoprolol tartrate, a beta1-selective blocker, in patients with mild-to-severe chronic heart failure (CHF). Patients on treatment with metoprolol might benefit from switching to carvedilol. AIM: To investigate the safety and tolerability of switching beta-blockers in CHF. METHODS: At the end of COMET, the Steering Committee recommended that study medication was stopped without unblinding, and patients were commenced on open-label beta-blockade at a dose equivalent to half the dose of blinded therapy, with subsequent titration to target or maximum tolerated dose. Patients were followed for 30 days. RESULTS: 1321 out of 1440 patients were transitioned to open-label treatment (76.8% to carvedilol). Serious adverse and CHF-related events were respectively 9.4% and 4.7% in those switching from carvedilol to metoprolol and 3.1% and 1.5% in patients switching from metoprolol to carvedilol. Patients who switched from carvedilol to metoprolol showed the highest mortality or hospitalisation rate (12.3%) in comparison with those who switched from metoprolol to carvedilol (3.1%, p<0.001) or who stayed on the same drug (carvedilol: 2.5%, p<0.001; metoprolol: 4.2%, p=0.04). Reducing the initial dose of the second beta-blocker maximised the safety of this strategy. Event rate was higher in patients with more severe heart failure and in those withdrawing from beta-blockade. CONCLUSION: Our data show that switching beta-blockers is a practical, safe and well-tolerated strategy to optimise treatment of CHF. Patients who switched to carvedilol showed the lowest rate of adverse events. A closer clinical monitoring is recommended during transition in high-risk patients.
|
|
| 5. |
- Komajda, M., et al.
(författare)
-
The impact of new onset anaemia on morbidity and mortality in chronic heart failure: results from COMET
- 2006
-
Ingår i: European heart journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 27:12, s. 1440-6
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: Anaemia is a common comorbidity in chronic heart failure (CHF). The predictors of new onset anaemia (NOA) and its long-term prognostic value, particularly in patients treated with beta-blockers, are not known. METHODS AND RESULTS: In COMET, 3029 patients with CHF in NYHA II-IV and EF <35% were randomized to carvedilol or metoprolol tartrate and were followed for an average of 58 months. Plasma haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations were measured at a central laboratory at randomization, at four monthly intervals for the first year and annually thereafter. According to WHO criteria, anaemia was defined when Hb measured <13 g/dL for men and <12 g/dL for women. We considered anaemia to be severe when Hb <11.5 g/dL for men and <10.5 g/dL for women. The baseline mean Hb was 14.2 +/- 1.5 g/dL (n = 2996) and 15.9% of patients had anaemia (males, 16.0%; females, 15.2%). At baseline, severe anaemia was found in 3.3% of patients (males, 3.6%; females, 2.0%). During the study, all-cause mortality (RR 1.47) death or hospitalization (RR 1.28), and heart failure hospitalization (RR 1.43, all P < 0.0001) were higher in anaemic when compared with non-anaemic patients. In patients without anaemia at baseline, at the end of the study, the cumulative frequency of NOA was 28.1% in males and 27.0% in females. NOA increased over time from 14.2% at year 1 to 27.5% at year 5. Predictors of NOA were: higher age, diuretic dose, creatinine (all P < 0.0001), higher serum potassium, lower serum sodium, body mass index, and use of aldosterone antagonists, carvedilol, and digitalis (all P < 0.03). Treatment with carvedilol (vs. metoprolol tartrate) was associated with a 24% increased risk to develop NOA (P = 0.0047), but not severe anaemia (P = 0.18). Patients with a Hb decrease of >3 g/dL (RR 3.37, P < 0.0001) or of 2.0-3.0 g/dL (RR 1.47, P = 0.011) from baseline had an increased subsequent mortality when compared with patients having Hb increases of 0-1.0 g/dL. CONCLUSION: In stable ambulatory CHF patients, development of NOA is frequent and can be predicted by a set of clinical variables. Decreases in Hb over time relate to future increased morbidity and mortality.
|
|
| 6. |
- Swedberg, Karl, 1944, et al.
(författare)
-
Prognostic relevance of atrial fibrillation in patients with chronic heart failure on long-term treatment with beta-blockers: results from COMET
- 2005
-
Ingår i: European heart journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 26:13, s. 1303-8
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: Atrial fibrillation is common in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We analysed the risk associated with atrial fibrillation in a large cohort of patients with chronic heart failure all treated with a beta-blocker. METHODS AND RESULTS: In COMET, 3029 patients with CHF were randomized to carvedilol or metoprolol tartrate and followed for a mean of 58 months. We analysed the prognostic relevance on other outcomes of atrial fibrillation on the baseline electrocardiogram compared with no atrial fibrillation and the impact of new onset atrial fibrillation during follow-up. A multivariate analysis was performed using a Cox regression model where 10 baseline covariates were entered together with study treatment allocation. Six hundred patients (19.8%) had atrial fibrillation at baseline. These patients were older (65 vs. 61 years), included more men (88 vs.78%), had more severe symptoms [higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) class] and a longer duration of heart failure (all P<0.0001). Atrial fibrillation was associated with significantly increased mortality [relative risk (RR) 1.29: 95% CI 1.12-1.48; P<0.0001], higher all-cause death or hospitalization (RR 1.25: CI 1.13-1.38), and cardiovascular death or hospitalization for worsening heart failure (RR 1.34: CI 1.20-1.52), both P<0.0001. By multivariable analysis, atrial fibrillation no longer independently predicted mortality. Beneficial effects on mortality by carvedilol remained significant (RR 0.836: CI 0.74-0.94; P=0.0042). New onset atrial fibrillation during follow-up (n=580) was associated with significant increased risk for subsequent death in a time-dependent analysis (RR 1.90: CI 1.54-2.35; P<0.0001) regardless of treatment allocation and changes in NYHA class. CONCLUSION: In CHF, atrial fibrillation significantly increases the risk for death and heart failure hospitalization, but is not an independent risk factor for mortality after adjusting for other predictors of prognosis. Treatment with carvedilol compared with metoprolol offers additional benefits among patients with atrial fibrillation. Onset of new atrial fibrillation in patients on long-term beta-blocker therapy is associated with significant increased subsequent risk of mortality and morbidity.
|
|
| 7. |
- Torp-Pedersen, C., et al.
(författare)
-
Effects of metoprolol and carvedilol on preexisting and new on-set diabetes in patients with chronic heart failure {inverted exclamation}V data from the Carvedilol or metoprolol European Trial (COMET)
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Heart. - 1468-201X. ; 93:8, s. 968-973
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective Beta-blocker therapy may worsen glucose metabolism. We studied the development of new onset diabetes in a large cohort of heart failure patients treated with either metoprolol or carvedilol. Design Prospective and retrospective analysis of a controlled clinical trial. Setting Multinational multicenter study Patients 3029 patients with chronic heart failure. Interventions Randomly assigned treatment with carvedilol (n=1511, target dose 50 mg daily) or metoprolol tartrate (n=1518, target dose 100 mg daily). Results Diabetic events (diabetic coma, peripheral gangrene, diabetic foot, de-creased glucose tolerance or hyperglycemia) and new onset diabetes (clinical di-agnosis, repeated high random glucose level or glucose lowering medication) were assessed in 2298 patients without diabetes at baseline. Diabetic events oc-curred in 122/1151 (10.6%) patients in the carvedilol group and 149/1147 (13.0%) patients in the metoprolol group (hazard ratio (HR) 0.78; 95% confi-dence interval (CI) 0.61-0.99, p=0.039). New onset diabetes was diagnosed in 119/1151 (10.4%) versus 145/1147 (12.6%) cases in the carvedilol and metoprolol treatment groups (HR 0.78, CI 0.61-0.998, p=0.048). Patients with diabetes at baseline had an increased mortality, compared to non-diabetics (45.3% versus, 33.9%; HR 1.45, CI 1.28-1.65). Both diabetics and non-diabetics at baseline had a similar reduction in mortality with carvedilol compared to metoprolol (RR 0.85; CI 0.69-1.06 and RR 0.82; CI, 0.71-0.94, respectively). Conclusion This study demonstrates both a high prevalence and incidence of diabetes in patients with heart failure over a course of 5 years. New onset diabe-tes was more likely to occur during treatment with metoprolol than during treat-ment with carvedilol.
|
|
| 8. |
- Ekman, Inger, 1952, et al.
(författare)
-
Symptoms in patients with heart failure are prognostic predictors. Insights from COMET
- 2005
-
Ingår i: Journal of Cardiac Failure. - : Elsevier BV. - 1071-9164. ; 11:4, s. 288-92
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Although functional status, as assessed by the New York Heart Association classification, is known to be a powerful prognostic marker in chronic heart failure (CHF), the significance of individual symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative importance of self-reported severity of symptoms as predictors of outcomes in CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: All 3029 patients randomized in the Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial (ie, COMET) study were included in the analysis. Mean follow-up was 58 months. Symptoms were assessed by 5-point scales. In a univariate analysis, worse scores for breathlessness, orthopnea and fatigue were all significantly related to increased mortality (all P < .0001) and development of worsening heart failure. In a multivariate Cox regression analysis including 16 baseline covariates, only the symptom of breathlessness remained significantly related to mortality (risk ratio [RR] 1.14 per unit: 95% CI 1.04-1.26; P = .01). Fatigue, but not breathlessness, remained a significant predictor for developing worsening heart failure (RR 1.09 per unit; 95% CI 1.02-1.18; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue and breathlessness, common symptoms in CHF, have important and independent long-term prognostic implications. Accordingly, symptoms need to be effectively evaluated not only because symptom alleviation is a target for treatment, but also because they guide prognosis in patients with CHF.
|
|
| 9. |
|
|
