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Carvedilol in elderly patients with chronic heart failure, a 12 weeks randomized, placebo controlled open trial

R Leonetti Luparini1, V Celli, G Piccirillo

  • 1Institute of I Clinica Medica, Policlinico Umberto I, University La Sapienza, Viale del Policlinico, 155-00161 Rome, Italy.

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
|September 18, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Elderly patients with chronic heart failure tolerated carvedilol well. This heart failure medication slightly improved cardiac function without impacting cognitive or functional abilities in older adults.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Geriatrics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Recent US clinical trials show carvedilol is effective for chronic heart failure.
  • Carvedilol's tolerability in elderly patients with heart failure requires further investigation.
  • Elderly patients often have comorbidities that may affect drug tolerance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the tolerability and effects of carvedilol in elderly patients with chronic heart failure.
  • To evaluate changes in cardiac function, blood pressure, heart rate, and cognitive and functional status.
  • To determine if carvedilol is a safe and effective treatment option for geriatric heart failure patients.

Main Methods:

  • An open-label, randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 40 elderly patients (mean age 76.8 years) with chronic heart failure.
  • Patients received escalating doses of carvedilol (6.25 mg to 25 mg twice daily) or placebo over 12 weeks.
  • Assessments included blood pressure, heart rate, left ventricular ejection fraction, cognitive, and functional status at baseline, 2, 4, and 12 weeks.

Main Results:

  • Elderly patients with congestive heart failure demonstrated good tolerability to carvedilol therapy.
  • Carvedilol showed a slight improvement in heart function (left ventricular ejection fraction).
  • No significant alterations in functional or cognitive abilities were observed during the study period.

Conclusions:

  • Carvedilol is well-tolerated in elderly patients with chronic heart failure.
  • The medication offers potential benefits for cardiac function without adverse effects on cognition or daily function.
  • Larger trials are needed to confirm carvedilol's impact on morbidity and mortality in geriatric populations.

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