[Lack of symptomatic and long-term hemodynamic effects of prazosin in chronic heart failure. Double-blind, randomized study over one year].
Long-term treatment of congestive heart failure with prazosin is disputed. Only few controlled trials have been reported so far. Our study is the first randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial over several months that also takes haemodynamic measurements into account. 25 patients with congestive heart failure classes III and IV (NYHA) received either prazosin 20 mg/d orally (n = 12) or placebo (n = 13) and were followed up closely. Before treatment, after 6 and after 12 months we performed echocardiography, heart volume (estimated by chest X-ray) and right heart catheterization at rest and during exercise. No significant differences could be noticed during follow-up concerning the following parameters: symptoms (NYHA), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, shortening fraction, heart volume and systemic vascular resistance. While diuretics could be reduced in 3 patients with placebo an increasing dose was necessary in 6 out of 12 patients of the prazosin group. Long-term treatment of congestive heart failure with prazosin may be valuable only in exceptional cases.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011224:Prazosin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011799:Quinazolines; D011224:Prazosin
Fehlende symptomatische und hämodynamische Langzeitwirkung von Prazosin bei chronischer Herzinsuffizienz. Doppelblind randomisierte Untersuchung über ein Jahr.