Table 1.
Characteristics of the eight trials included in the meta-analysis
| Trials | Patients | Total cases | Treatment | Mean follow-up | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldo | Acontrol cases | AldoA | Drug control | |||
| Zannad et al. 2011 [12] | NYHA II LVEF ≤ 35% | 1364 | 1373 | Eplerenone 50 mg once daily | Placebo | 21 months |
| Boccanelli et al. 2009 [13] | NYHA II LVEF ≤ 45% | 188 | 193 | Canrenone 25–50 mg once daily | Placebo | 12 months |
| de Simone et al 2010 [14] | NYHA II LVEF ≤ 45% | 146 | 146 | Canrenone 25–50 mg once daily | Placebo | 12 months |
| Udelson et al. 2010 [15] | NYHA I-II LVEF ≤ 35% | 116 | 109 | Eplerenone 50 mg once daily | Placebo | 9 months |
| Vizzardi et al. 2010 [16] | NYHA I-II LVEF ≤ 40% | 79 | 79 | Spironolactone 25–100 mg once daily | Placebo | 6 months |
| Feola et al. 2003 [17] | NYHA I-II LVEF ≤ 40% | 36 | 16 | Spironolactone 25–50 mg once daily | Placebo | 6 months |
| Chan et al. 2007 [18] | NYHA I-II LVEF ≤ 40% | 20 | 21 | Spironolactone 25 mg once daily | Placebo | 12 months |
| Berry et al. 2006 [19] | NYHA I-II LVEF ≤ 40% | 19 | 17 | Spironolactone 25 mg once daily | Placebo | 3 months |
| Trials | With standard HF therapy ACEI/ARB/β-adrenoceptor blocker | Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zannad et al. 2011 [12] | Yes, ACEI/AR or both and β-adrenoceptor blocker | Primary: cardiovascular mortality, rehospitalization for HF. Secondary: all cause mortality or rehospitalization, adverse events. | ||||
| Boccanelli et al. 2009 [13] | Yes, ACEI/ARB or both and β-adrenoceptor blocker | Primary: BNP, EF, EDV, ESV, LVM, PIIINP. Secondary: LV mechanics, clinical event. | ||||
| de Simone et al. 2010 [14] | Yes, ACEI/ARB or both and β-adrenoceptor blocker | Primary: EF, BNP, PIIINP, E : A, LVM. Secondary: ESV, NYHA class. | ||||
| Udelson et al. 2010 [15] | Yes, ACEI/ARB and β-adrenoceptor blocker | EF, EDV, ESV, BNP, PIIINP, adverse events. | ||||
| Vizzardi et al. 2010 [16] | Yes, ACEI/ARB and β-adrenoceptor blocker | EF, EDV, ESV, CP exercise, LVM, adverse events, tolerability. | ||||
| Feola et al. 2003 [17] | Yes, ACEI/ARB and β-adrenoceptor blocker | EF, EDV, ESD, BNP, CP exercise, adverse events. | ||||
| Chan et al. 2007 [18] | Yes, ARB | EF, LVM, EDV, ESV, E : A, LV reverse remodelling, adverse events. | ||||
| Berry et al. 2006 [19] | Yes, ACEI and β-adrenoceptor blocker | BNP, PIIINP, safety. | ||||