TY - JOUR T1 - Bucindolol reduced mortality and hospitalisation related to cardiovascular causes in advanced chronic heart failure JF - Evidence Based Medicine JO - Evid Based Med SP - 172 LP - 172 DO - 10.1136/ebm.6.6.172 VL - 6 IS - 6 A2 - , Y1 - 2001/11/01 UR - http://ebm.bmj.com/content/6/6/172.abstract N2 - (2001) N Engl J Med 344, 1659. The Beta-Blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial Investigators.. A trial of the beta-blocker bucindolol in patients with advanced chronic heart failure.. May 31;. :. –67.OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
 
 QUESTION: In patients with advanced chronic heart failure, does bucindolol reduce all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and hospitalisation for chronic heart failure? Randomised (allocation concealed*), blinded (clinicians and patients),* placebo controlled trial with mean follow up of 2 years (Beta-Blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial [BEST]). 90 clinical sites in the USA and Canada. 2708 patients (mean age 60 y, 78% men). Inclusion criteria were New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV chronic heart failure caused by primary or secondary dilated cardiomyopathy; left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%; optimal medical treatment, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for ≥ 1 month; and ≥ 18 years of age. Exclusion criteria included reversible heart failure; uncorrected primary valvular disease; active myocarditis; recent myocardial infarction or revascularisation; unstable angina; heart rate < 50 beats/minute; or serious concomitant illness. Patients were allocated to bucindolol, 3 mg twice daily for 1 week, which was then titrated gradually to a maximum dose of 100 mg twice daily (n=1354) or to placebo (n=1354). All-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and hospitalisation related to chronic heart … ER -