Charm Program

From Anvita Health Wiki

Introduction

• Placebo-controlled trials in patients with chronic heart failure. Study Characteristics:

• candesartan 32 mg QD (target dose) vs placebo.
• 3 arm trial

• 2548 patients with LVEF < 40% already taking ACE inhibitor
• 2028 patients with reduced LVEF intolerant of ACE inhibitors
• 3023 patients with LVEF > 40% (19% taking ACE inhibitor)

• follow-up of 38 months
• Results:

• candesartan improved:

• cardiovascular death
• rehospitalization for heart failure
• probably* all-cause mortality (23% vs 25%)

• benefit greatest for patients with systolic dysfunction
• no evidence of adverse reaction with combination of:

• ACE inhibitor
• candesartan ( ARB)
• beta-blocker

• * difference significant after adjustment for potentially confounding clinical variables

More General Terms

• clinical trial

References

- Journal Watch 23(21):166, 2003
- Pfeffer MA et al Effects of candesartan on mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic heart failure: the CHARM-Overall programme. Lancet 362:759, 2003 PMID: [1]
- McMurray JJV et al Effects of candesartan in patients with chronic heart failure and reduced left-ventricular systolic function taking angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors: the CHARM-Added trial. Lancet 362:767, 2003 PMID: [2]
- Granger CB et al, Effects of candesartan in patients with chronic heart failure and reduced left-ventricular systolic function intolerant to angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors: the CHARM-Alternative trial. Lancet 362:772, 2003 PMID: [3]
- Yusuf S et al Effects of candesartan in patients with chronic heart failure and preserved left-ventricular ejection fraction: the CHARM-Preserved Trial. Lancet 362:777, 2003 PMID: [4]
- White HD Candesartan and heart failure: the allure of CHARM Lancet 362:754, 2003 PMID: &dopt=Abstract CHARM program (clinical trials)