Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled 3,991 patients with chronic heart failure of New York Heart Association functional class II-IV with an ejection fraction of < or = 0.40, stabilized with optimum standard therapy, in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. A total of 1,747 patients (44%) had a history of hypertension; 871 were randomized to receive metoprolol CR/XL and 876 to receive placebo. Treatment with metoprolol CR/XL compared with placebo resulted in a significant reduction in total mortality (relative risk [RR], 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.44-0.84; P =.0022), mainly because of reductions in sudden death (RR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.33-0.79; P =.0022) and mortality from worsening heart failure (RR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.25-0.99; P =.042). Total number of hospitalizations for worsening heart failure was reduced by 30% in the metoprolol CR/XL group compared with placebo (P =.015). Metoprolol CR/XL was well tolerated: 12% fewer patients withdrew from study medication (all-cause) compared with placebo (P =.048). CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Johan Herlitz, John Wikstrand, Marty Denny, Paul Fenster, Thomas Heywood, Gabriella Masszi, Sten Rasmussen, Gudmundur Thorgeirsson, Kristian Wachtell, MERIT--HF Study Group |
Journal | Journal of cardiac failure
(J Card Fail)
Vol. 8
Issue 1
Pg. 8-14
(Feb 2002)
ISSN: 1071-9164 [Print] United States |
PMID | 11862577
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
- Metoprolol
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Topics |
- Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Heart Failure
(complications, drug therapy, mortality)
- Hospitalization
(statistics & numerical data)
- Humans
- Hypertension
(complications, drug therapy)
- Male
- Metoprolol
(administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
- Middle Aged
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