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Efficacy of the long-term administration of carvedilol in patients with chronic heart failure
with and without concomitant diabetes mellitus
G. Tabidze, M. Iakobashvili, D. Bachtadze, L. Chavchanidze, T. Tsibadze
            Tsinamdzgvrishvili Institute of Cardiology

Key words: Carvedilol, Chronic heart failure, Concomitant diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with heart failure and is an independent risk factor for an increased mortality and morbidity. Beta-blockers are traditionally regarded as relatively contraindicated in patients with diabetes mellitus. Aim of the study: To assess the efficacy of carvedilol administration in patients with heart failure and concomitant diabetes.  Methods and results: Twenty nine patients (nineteen patients non-diabetes, ten - diabetes) with chronic heart failure assessed by echocardiography, 6 min walk test before and after 3 months of maintenance carvedilol treatment. Carvedilol treatment was associated with an improvement in left ventricular function, clinical symptoms, hemodinamic parameters compared to baseline, with no significant difference between the diabetic and the non-diabetis patients.
Concomitant diabetes does not influence the efficacy of carvedilol administration in patients with chronic heart failure. 

Reference:

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Carvedilol: A novel cardiovascular drug with multiple actions. Cardiovascular Drug Rev 1992; 10:2:127-157

2.       Packer M., Bristow M. R., Cohn J. N. et al.
The effect of carvedilol on morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic heart failure. N Engl. J Med 1996; 334:1349-1355.

3.       Strein K., Sponer G., Meuller-Beckman B.,
Pharmacological profile of carvedilol, a compound with beta-blocking and vasodilating properties. J. Cardiovase Pharmacol 1987; 10: Suppl 11:33-41

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