title: Impact of a standardized titration protocol with carvedilol in heart failure: safety, tolerability, and efficacy-a report from the GESICA registry.
abstract: Grupo de Estudio de la Sobrevida en la Insuficiencia Cardiaca en Argentina (GESICA) studied whether a standardized protocol for the initiation and titration of the beta-blocker carvedilol in a multicenter, open-label program would optimize beta-blocker use in heart failure (HF) patients. The program included: (1) the carvedilol initiation and titration period, and (2) long-term follow-up at 6 and 12 months. Of 1299 patients in the registry, 504 were excluded due to current therapy; of the remaining 795 eligible patients, 293 were excluded due to contraindications. Of the included patients with follow-up data (n = 316), 93.3% tolerated carvedilol initiation and 47.7% of the patients reached the target dose of 50 mg/day for a mean dose of 39 mg/day. Rates were comparable in the elderly (n = 83), of which 53% achieved a target dose for a mean dose of 43.08 mg/day. This protocol improved therapy rates and achieved target doses quickly (average of 4 visits). Concomitant medications did not have to be adjusted and there were low withdrawal rates (10%) and hospital admissions (7.2%) for HF. Patients were able to maintain carvedilol therapy at 6 and 12 months. These results indicate that a standardized titration protocol, as used in GESICA, for the initiation and titration of beta-blockers is well tolerated and may improve beta-blocker use in carefully selected heart failure patients.
authors: GESICA, Av Rivadavia 2358, PB 4 (1034) Buenos Aires, CP 1414, Argentina. gesica@advancedsl.com.ar
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Nul
authors: Carola
authors: C
authors: Zambrano
authors: Alejandro
authors: A
authors: Diaz
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Ferrante
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Varini
authors: Saúl
authors: S
authors: Soifer
authors: Hugo
authors: H
authors: Grancelli
authors: Hernán
authors: H
authors: Doval
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077261:Carvedilol; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D013599:Systole / Q000187:drug effects; D017186:Titrimetry / Q000592:standards; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D002227:Carbazoles; D011412:Propanolamines; D000077261:Carvedilol; D000638:Amiodarone