Cardiovascular

Heart Failure and Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction, Pharmacologic Management

July 2003

Clinical Focus*

• Are angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and beta-adrenergic blocking agents (beta-blockers) effective in patients with heart failure (HF) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction? Does this effectiveness differ in the following subpopulations: men, women, blacks, whites, diabetics, and nondiabetics?
  • What is the association between treatment with ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers and all-cause mortality for female, male, diabetic, nondiabetic, black, and white patients with HF?
  • Does this association vary (e.g., are there statistically significant differences) by gender (female versus male), diabetic condition (those with diabetes versus those without), and race (black versus white patients)?
• What is the cost-effectiveness of both treatment of and screening for asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction?

*Addressed in the summary or evidence report.

Pharmacologic Management of Heart Failure and Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction: Effect in Female, Black, and Diabetic Patients, and Cost-Effectiveness
Summary (Publication No. 03-E044, July 2003)
Evidence Report (Publication No. 03-E045, July 2003)
(PDF Files; File Download)

EPC: Southern California-RAND
Topic Nominator: American College of Physicians, American Society of Internal Medicine, American Academy of Family Physicians

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