Baseline characteristics of patients recruited into the CARE-HF study

Abstract

Background: Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is a promising new treatment for patients with heart failure and cardiac dyssynchrony. The CARE‐HF study is a morbidity/mortality trial designed to provide conclusive evidence of the effects of CRT in patients with moderate to severe heart failure. Methods: A description of the baseline characteristics of patients randomised in the CARE‐HF trial. Results: 813 Patients with predominantly NYHA class III (94%) heart failure were randomised in 82 centres. Their mean age was 65 (interquartile range [IQR] 59 to 72) years, 34% were aged >70 years and 27% were women. Thirty‐eight percent of the patients had ischaemic heart disease. Mean heart rate was adequately controlled at 70 (IQR 60 to 78) bpm consistent with the use of beta‐blockers. Supine systolic blood pressure was low at 117 (IQR 105 to 130) mm Hg. Eighty‐eight percent of patients had a QRS ≥150 ms. Mean LV ejection fraction was 26% (IQR 22 to 29) and end‐diastolic dimension was 7.2 (IQR 6.4 to 7.8) cm. Ninety‐four percent of patients were receiving loop diuretics, 95% an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), 72% a beta‐blocker and 56% were taking spironolactone. Conclusions: The patients enrolled in CARE‐HF had moderately severe heart failure and cardiac dysfunction with evidence of cardiac dyssynchrony. The population appears at high risk of events despite pharmacological therapy and therefore appropriate for a trial of CRT.