Effects of carvedilol in heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy. Results of a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study (CARIBE study)

Chizzola, Paulo Roberto, Freitas, Humberto Felício Gonçalves, Caldas, Márcia Azevedo, Costa, Joicely Melo da, Meneghetti, Cláudio, Marinho, Norma Vasconcelos Saldanha, Mansur, Alfredo José, Ramires, José Antonio Franchini, Bocchi, Edimar Alcides

Effects of carvedilol in heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy. Results of a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study (CARIBE study)

AUTOR(ES)

Chizzola, Paulo Roberto, Freitas, Humberto Felício Gonçalves, Caldas, Márcia Azevedo, Costa, Joicely Melo da, Meneghetti, Cláudio, Marinho, Norma Vasconcelos Saldanha, Mansur, Alfredo José, Ramires, José Antonio Franchini, Bocchi, Edimar Alcides

FONTE

Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia

DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2000-03

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of carvedilol in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. METHODS: In a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study, 30 patients (7 women) with functional class II and III heart failure were assessed. Their ages ranged from 28 to 66 years (mean of 43±9 years), and their left ventricular ejection fraction varied from 8% to 35%. Carvedilol was added to the usual therapy of 20 patients; placebo was added to the usual therapy of 10 patients. The initial dose of carvedilol was 12.5 mg, which was increased weekly until it reached 75 mg/day, according to the patient's tolerance. Clinical assessment, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and radionuclide ventriculography were performed in the pretreatment phase, being repeated after 2 and 6 months of medication use. RESULTS: A reduction in heart rate (p=0.016) as well as an increase in left ventricular shortening fraction (p=0.02) and in left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.017) occurred in the group using carvedilol as compared with that using placebo. CONCLUSION: Carvedilol added to the usual therapy for heart failure resulted in better heart function.