Carvedilol can prevent cardiac events in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
OBJECTIVE
Heart failure is one of the most serious complications in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Beta-blocker medication is known to improve the prognosis of chronic heart failure of adults, but its efficacy and safety for DMD patients has not been fully assessed. Thus we conducted a multicenter open trial.


METHODS
Fifty-four DMD patients participated; 41 received carvedilol (BB group) and 13 did not (non BB group). All patients with an ejection fraction of less than 50% received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Then, patients in BB group were started on carvedilol. The mean maintenance dose of carvedilol in BB group was 7.85+/-2.80 mg/day. Clinical signs and cardiac function were monitored regularly and statistical analysis was done.


RESULTS
The survival rate free from primary endpoints (death, deterioration of heart failure and severe arrhythmia) was higher in the BB group. The survival rate free from all-cause death was also higher in the BB group, although not significantly higher. Patients with primary endpoints received lower maintenance doses of carvedilol and presented higher mean heart rates (HR) during the observation period. In the BB group, mean HR at enrollment and the reduction of mean HR were correlated with the change of ejection fraction. Although serious adverse events were rare during the introduction of carvedilol, patients with advanced cardiac dysfunction required a longer period for up-titration and frequently presented with minor complaints.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggests that carvedilol is relatively safe and can prevent cardiac events even in patients with DMD.
Matsumura
Tsuyoshi
T
Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Toneyama National Hospital, Toyonaka, Japan. matumura@toneyama.hosp.go.jp
Tamura
Takuhisa
T
Kuru
Satoshi
S
Kikuchi
Yasuki
Y
Kawai
Mitsuru
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077261:Carvedilol; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D002227:Carbazoles; D011412:Propanolamines; D000077261:Carvedilol