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(Circulation. 2002;106:e9043.)
© 2002 American Heart Association, Inc.

Cardiovascular News

Ruth SoRelle, MPH

Circulation Newswriter

An extract of the first 250 words of the full text is provided, because this article has no abstract.

COPERNICUS Proves Value of ß-Blocker Carvedilol in Severe Heart Failure

The landmark Carvedilol Prospective Cumulative Survival (COPERNICUS) trial demonstrated the value of adding the ß-blocker carvedilol to conventional treatment for patients with heart failure who also have symptoms with minimal exertion.

In the study, reported in this week’s issue of Circulation (Circulation. 2002;106:2194–2199), investigators led by Milton Packer, MD, from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York, NY, reported that carvedilol reduced the severity of heart failure, as well as the risk of clinical deterioration, hospitalization, and other serious clinical events. The study involved 2289 patients with severe heart failure and an ejection fraction of <25% who were randomized to receive either carvedilol or placebo for an average of 10.4 months. The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial had 1133 patients in the placebo group and 1156 in the carvedilol group.

Researchers found that patients who received carvedilol spent 27% fewer days in the hospital for any reason and 40% fewer days in the hospital for heart failure. The combined risk of death or hospitalization for a cardiovascular reason in the drug group was reduced by 27%, and the combined risk of death or hospitalization because of heart failure by 31%, compared with the placebo group. Patients in the treatment group were less likely to experience a serious adverse event, such as worsening heart failure, sudden death, cardiogenic shock, or ventricular tachycardia. The trial was stopped early because of the significantly beneficial effect of carvedilol on the patients’ health.

In an accompanying editorial (Circulation. . . [Full Text of this Article]