title: The Beta Blocker Heart Attack Trial: recruitment experience.
abstract: The Beta Blocker Heart Attack Trial (BHAT) recruited 3837 patients who within the previous 5-21-day period had experienced a myocardial infarction. The purpose of the trial was to test the efficacy of propranolol in decreasing total mortality after such an event. Recruitment was carried out over a 28-month period and involved 31 clinics, 134 hospitals, and 136 acute coronary care units. Of the 157,771 patients admitted to these units, 16,358 met the BHAT criteria for a myocardial infarction, and 23% of those eligible were ultimately randomized. The use of a coronary care unit log was helpful for tracking patients to maximize recruitment and to provide information in regard to the universe from which patients were recruited.
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010361:Patients; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol