A commentary on clinical trials in chronic heart failure.
Heart failure is a common condition and becoming more common. Many treatments have been evaluated in large clinical trials during the last few decades. These trials can be criticized but do provide an evidence base for treatment, probably greater than for most other clinical conditions. Weaknesses exist in relation to age, ejection fraction, and gender. Most trials have included patients 10 years younger than those in the general population. There is little evidence for efficacy in patients with a near normal ejection fraction. Few women have been included in trials.
Poole-Wilson
Philip A
PA
Department of Cardiac Medicine, National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom. p.poole-wilson@imperial.ac.uk
Lyon
Alexander R
AR
Jacques
Adam M
AM
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004232:Diuretics