title: The Carvedilol Prospective Randomized Cumulative Survival (COPERNICUS) trial.
abstract: Previous trials (Metoprolol CR/XL Randomised Intervention Trial in Congestive Heart Failure [MERIT-HF], Cardiac Insufficiency Bisoprolol Study [CIBIS] II) have demonstrated a mortality benefit of beta-adrenergic blockade in patients with mild to moderate heart failure. The recent Carvedilol Prospective Randomized Cumulative Survival (COPERNICUS) trial has extended these results to a more advanced patient population. This trial did not, however, include patients who could not reach compensation, patients with far advanced heart failure symptoms, or a significant number of black patients. Future studies of beta-blockade may focus on these patients or patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiology Division), The University of Texas Southwestern and Dallas VA Medical Centers, Dallas, Texas, USA. Eichhorn@Ryburn.swmed.edu
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Eichhorn
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Bristow