Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | J | Journal of Family Practice

Do antiarrhythmics prevent sudden death in patients with heart failure?

Publication: Journal of Family Practice
Publication Date: 01-SEP-03 		Format: Online
Delivery: Immediate Online Access
Full Article Title: Do antiarrhythmics prevent sudden death in patients with heart failure?(Clinical inquiries: from the Family Practice Inquiries Network)

Article Excerpt
* EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER

Beta-blockers (class II antiarrhythmics) reduce sudden death and total mortality in patients with heart failure (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, based on systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials). Amiodarone (class III) may reduce sudden death in heart failure (SOR: B, extrapolation from randomized controlled trials), but evidence is weak that it reduces total mortality, and it has significant side effects. Class I and other class III antiarrhythmic agents appear cause an increase in mortality due to sudden death in heart failure (SOR: B, extrapolations from randomized controlled trials).

* EVIDENCE SUMMARY

Antiarrhythmic agents have been studied in patients with heart failure because these persons have a high incidence of sudden death, presumably from ventricular arrhythmias. Although the implantable defibrillator is an alternative antiarrhythmic device that may be preferred for some patients, we restricted our review to pharmacologic antiarrhythmics.

The beta-blockers bisoprolol, carvedilol, and metoprolol (1-3) were studied in large randomized controlled trials. The relative risk reduction (RRR) for sudden death ranged from 10% to 52% in the larger trials and 30% to 39% in meta-analyses....

Read the FULL article now - Try Goliath Business News - FREE!   
You can view this article PLUS...

  • Over 5 million business articles
  • Hundreds of the most trusted magazines, newswires, and journals (see list)
  • Premium business information that is timely and relevant
  • Unlimited Access

Now for a Limited Time, try Goliath Business News - Free for 3 Days!
Tell Me More   Terms and Conditions

Get Goliath Business News for 1 year - Just $99 (Save 65%)
Tell Me More   Terms and Conditions

Already a subscriber? Log in to view full article



More articles from Journal of Family Practice
Do nasal decongestants relieve symptoms?(Clinical inquiries: from the ..., September 01, 2003
Is screening for lead poisoning justified?(Clinical inquiries: from th..., September 01, 2003
Should pennies retained in the stomach be removed?, September 01, 2003
Safety of first-generation antihistamines.(Letter to the Editor), September 01, 2003

Looking for additional articles?
Search our database of over 3 million articles.

Looking for more in-depth information on this industry?
Search our complete database of Industry & Market reports by text, subject, publication name or publication date.

About Goliath
Whether you're looking for sales prospects, competitive information, company analysis or best practices in managing your organization, Goliath can help you meet your business needs.

Our extensive business information databases empower business professionals with both the breadth and depth of credible, authoritative information they need to support their business goals. Whether it be strategic planning, sales prospecting, company research or defining management best practices - Goliath is your leading source for accurate information.