Effect of Valsartan Added to Background ACE Inhibitor Therapy in Patients with Heart Failure: Results from Val-HeFT
Why the study?
Does valsartan reduce mortality and morbidity when added to background ACE inhibitor therapy in heart failure patients not receiving beta-blockers?
Population
3,034 patients with heart failure receiving an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor but not a…
Comparison
Valsartan added to background ACE inhibitor… vs Placebo added to background ACE inhibitor therapy.
Design
RCT, Assigned to valsartan or placebo
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
Supports adding valsartan to ACE inhibitors for morbidity reduction in beta-blocker-naive heart failure; confirms ARB benefit atop ACEi without mortality impact.
Structured PICO
Does valsartan reduce mortality and morbidity when added to background ACE inhibitor therapy in heart failure patients not receiving beta-blockers?
P
Population
3,034 patients with heart failure receiving an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) but not a beta-blocker at baseline (n=1532 assigned to valsartan, n=1502 assigned to placebo).
I
Intervention
Valsartan added to background ACE inhibitor therapy.
C
Comparator
Placebo added to background ACE inhibitor therapy.
O
Outcome
Composite of all-cause mortality, hospitalisation for adjudicated heart failure, sudden death with resuscitation and need for >4 h of parenteral therapy for worsening heart failure.composite
Adding valsartan to ACE inhibitor therapy in heart failure patients not taking beta-blockers significantly reduces morbidity and improves cardiac remodeling, particularly in those on lower ACE inhibitor doses.
Cite This Study
Krum et al. (2004) studied this question.