Betaxolol versus carvedilol in chronic heart failure (BETACAR study). Rationale and design.
The use of beta-blockers in heart failure for a long time was regarded as contra-indicated because of their negative inotropic effects. Nevertheless, there is growing evidence that beta-blockers slow down the progression of left ventricular dilatation that characterizes heart failure. In addition changes in left ventricular ejection fraction after several months of beta-blocker treatment appears to have predictive value for survival. This beneficial effect of beta-blockade in chronic heart failure needs to be assessed further. The presumed benefit of beta-blockade with betaxolol (CAS 63659-18-7), a highly selective beta-blocker with long duration of action in chronic heart failure (CHF) will be assessed in BETACAR, a comparative study versus carvedilol (CAS 72956-09-3). The design of this study is provided in this article.
Böhler
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Synthélabo Arzneimittel GmbH, Berlin, Germany. medizin@synthelabo.de
Saubadu
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Scheldewaert
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D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015784:Betaxolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077261:Carvedilol; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002227:Carbazoles; D011412:Propanolamines; D000077261:Carvedilol; D015784:Betaxolol