Effects of Carvedilol on Health Outcomes in Heart Failure

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2005-03-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

The purpose of our study was to determine if a strategy of starting a heart medication (Beta-blocker) before patients leave the hospital and then being seen by a nurse manager would reduce subsequent hospitalizations compared to usual care.

Hypothesis: A nurse-directed heart failure management program with inpatient initiation of beta blockers will improve health outcomes in a vulnerable, predominantly Hispanic and African American population.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Denver Health and Hospital Authority
• Treatments: Carvedilol

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• primary hospitalization with heart failure and LVEF < 40%

• patient informed consent has been obtained

• absence of pulmonary congestion

• age > 18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• End-stage renal or hepatic disease

• Acute myocardial infarction as primary diagnosis during index hospitalization

• Life-expectancy < 6-months

• Contraindication to beta blocker use

• Current beta-blocker therapy

• Planned bypass or valve surgery during index hospitalization