Blood Pressure Reduction in Heart Failure

University of Sao Paulo21 enrolled

Overview

Previous studies have demonstrated a direct association between blood pressure level and cardiovascular risk. However in patients with heart failure this association is considered controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the reduction of blood pressure in patients with heart failure. The investigators will examine the effects of this intervention over mortality, quality of life, and cardiac function.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Heart Failure Cardiac Failure Congestive Heart Failure

Interventions

Hydralazine/amlodipineDRUG

Patients will receive drug therapy aimed to reducing blood pressure - first line drug will be hydralazine up to 100mg/day; if systolic blood pressure reduces less than 20% from baseline and remains over 100mmHg patients will further receive amlodipine up to 10mg/day

PlaceboDRUG

Patients will receive placebo

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * stable chronic heart failure for at least 6 months * ejection fraction of 40% or less, as measured by transthoracic echocardiography * optimal clinical treatment for chronic heart failure according to current international guidelines. Exclusion Criteria: * patient refusal * rheumatic or degenerative valvular disease * restrictive cardiomyopathy * evidence of myocardial ischemia * alcohol or drug use * malignant neoplasm * active infection * surgical intervention in the 3 previous months * lactation, childbearing or childbearing potential. * pulmonary embolism in the 6 previous months

Locations (1)

Heart Institute (InCor) do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo

São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil