Carvedilol prevents remodeling in patients with left ventricular dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of carvedilol, a vasodilating nonselective beta-blocker, on the indexes of left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction in those with left ventricular dysfunction.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Forty-nine patients with predischarge left ventricular ejection fraction <45% after acute myocardial infarction were evaluated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group study (selected from the database of the Carvedilol Heart Attack Pilot Study: CHAPS). Patients received medication after thrombolysis and continued to do so for 6 months. Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed before discharge (7 to 10 days after admission) and at 3 months after acute myocardial infarction. Analysis of variance showed that wall thickness opposite the site of infarction decreased from (mean +/- SD) 12.3 +/- 2.1 mm to 11.0 +/- 2.4 mm with carvedilol compared with 11.6 +/- 1.9 mm to 12.2 +/- 1.9 mm with placebo (P =.01). Left ventricular mass changed from 235 +/- 74 g to 217 +/- 64 g with carvedilol compared with 227 +/- 80 g to 252 +/- 85 g with placebo ( P =.02). Carvedilol prevented alteration of sphericity index (ratio of long and short axis of left ventricle) that changed from 1.65 +/- 0.29 to 1.66 +/- 20 with carvedilol compared with 1.58 +/- 0.33 to 1.39 +/- 0.19 with placebo (P =.02); alteration was also prevented of wall thickening abnormality at infarct site, which changed from 9.2 +/- 3.1 cm2 to 9.1 +/- 3.5 cm 2 with carvedilol compared with 10.3 +/- 3.3 cm2 to 13.5 +/- 4.6 cm2 with placebo (P =.002).

CONCLUSION:

Carvedilol administered early after acute myocardial infarction results in attenuation of left ventricular remodeling in patients with persistent left ventricular dysfunction before discharge.

• Authors: R Senior, S Basu, C Kinsey, S Schaeffer, A Lahiri
• Journal: American heart journal (Am Heart J) Vol. 137 Issue 4 Pt 1 Pg. 646-52 (Apr 1999) ISSN: 0002-8703 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10097224 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
• Carbazoles
• Propanolamines
• Vasodilator Agents
• Carvedilol

Topics

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Aged
• Carbazoles (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Carvedilol
• Double-Blind Method
• Echocardiography
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Myocardial Infarction (drug therapy)
• Propanolamines (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome
• Vasodilator Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Ventricular Dysfunction, Left (diagnostic imaging, physiopathology)
• Ventricular Remodeling (drug effects)