β blocker therapy v placebo for heart failure (HF) with systolic dysfunction at mean 6–24 months*
| Outcomes | Number of trials (n) | Weighted event rates | RRR (95% CI) | NNT (CI) | NNT/ year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| β blocker | Placebo | |||||
| *Abbreviations defined in glossary; RRR, RRI, NNT, NNH, and CI calculated from data in article using a random effects model. | ||||||
| All cause mortality | 9 (14 594) | 13% | 17% | 27% (15 to 38) | 22 (16 to 39) | 30 |
| HF hospital admission | 8 (13 478) | 17% | 23% | 26% (17 to 34) | 17 (13 to 26) | 25 |
| Worsening HF | 4 (4439) | 26% | 34% | 17% (2 to 29) | 18 (11 to 150) | 19 |
| All cause withdrawal of treatment | 9 (14 594) | 16% | 18% | 11% (2 to 19) | 51 (30 to 278) | 72 |
| RRI (CI) | NNH (CI) | NNH/ Year | ||||
| Dizziness | 4 (10 082) | 22% | 17% | 37% (9 to 71) | 17 (9 to 67) | 17 |
| Bradycardia | 7 (13 796) | 6% | 2% | 262% (148 to 428) | 22 (14 to 39) | 26 |
| Hypotension | 7 (13 796) | 8% | 6% | 41% (−4 to 106) | Not significant | 91 |
| Fatigue | 3 (7793) | 24% | 22% | 4% (−3 to 11) | Not significant | 297 |