The heart failure revascularisation trial (HEART): rationale, design and methodology

• Published in: European journal of heart failure 2003-06, Vol.5 (3), p.295-303
• Main Authors: Cleland, J.G.F., Freemantle, N., Ball, S.G., Bonser, R.S., Camici, P., Chattopadhyay, S., Dutka, D., Eastaugh, J., Hampton, J., Large, S., Norell, M.S., Pennell, D.J., Pepper, J., Sanda, S., Senior, R., Smith, D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coronary Artery Disease - complications; Coronary Artery Disease - mortality; Coronary Artery Disease - surgery; Follow-Up Studies; heart failure; Heart Failure - etiology; Heart Failure - mortality; Heart Failure - surgery; HEART study; Humans; left ventricular systolic dysfunction; Myocardial Revascularization; Research Design; revascularisation; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome; United Kingdom; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left - complications; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left - mortality; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left - surgery
• ISSN: 1388-9842; 1879-0844
• DOI: 10.1016/S1388-9842(03)00056-4

Background: Most patients with heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) secondary to coronary artery disease (CAD) have evidence of myocardium in jeopardy (reversible ischaemia and/or stunning hibernation). It is not known whether revascularisation in such cases is safe or beneficial. Aims To determine whether revascularisation will improve the survival of patients with LVSD and heart failure secondary to CAD and myocardium in jeopardy. Methods: This is a randomised controlled trial comparing revascularisation or not, in addition to optimal medical therapy with ACE inhibitors, beta‐blockers, aldosterone antagonists and an anti‐thrombotic agent. Patients must have heart failure requiring treatment with diuretics, a left ventricular ejection fraction