NCT00381030

Effects of Carvedilol on Health Outcomes in Heart Failure

Effects of Inpatient Initiation of Carvedilol and Nurse Management on Health Outcomes in Vulnerable Heart Failure Patients (ECHO Study): a Randomized Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 4
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (planned)
• Sponsor: Denver Health and Hospital Authority · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 0 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of our study was to determine if a strategy of starting a heart medication (Beta-blocker) before patients leave the hospital and then being seen by a nurse manager would reduce subsequent hospitalizations compared to usual care. Hypothesis: A nurse-directed heart failure management program with inpatient initiation of beta blockers will improve health outcomes in a vulnerable, predominantly Hispanic and African American population.

Detailed description

Heart failure is a leading cause of death and hospitalization in the US. Designing practical approaches to improving heart failure care is therefore a national health priority. One retrospective study suggested that patients taking beta-blockers while hospitalized for heart failure had a lower risk of rehospitalization at 6-months. One prospective study suggested that starting beta blockers among hospitalized heart failure patients is safe and improves compliance. However, improved outcomes of this approach have not been prospectively demonstrated. Comparison: Inpatient initiation of the beta-blocker carvedilol coupled with outpatient follow-up with a nurse manager was compared to usual care by internists and cardiologists.

Conditions

• Heart Failure, Congestive

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	carvedilol plus nurse management

Timeline

• Start date: 2002-10-01
• Completion: 2005-03-01
• First posted: 2006-09-27
• Last updated: 2006-09-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States