Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of the study patients
| Characteristics | Study patients (n = 83) |
|---|---|
| Age (yrs) | |
| Mean ± SD | 77 ± 12 |
| Range | 29–93 |
| Male | 32 (39%) |
| Body height (cm) (mean ± SD) | 151 ± 10 |
| Primary cause of HF | |
| Hypertension | 39 (47%) |
| Valvular | 18 (22%) |
| Cardiomyopathy | 12 (14%) |
| Ischemic | 6 (7%) |
| Arrhythmia | 5 (6%) |
| Others | 3 (4%) |
| Left ventricular ejection fraction | |
| Mean ± SD | 53 ± 14 |
| Range | 20–77 |
| Atrial fibrillation | 29 (35%) |
| Lower leg varicose veins | 8 (10%) |
| B‐type natriuretc peptide (pg/mL) | |
| Mean ± SD | 147 ± 135 |
| Range | 37–1110 |
| NYHA‐FC at stable period | |
| II | 62 (75%) |
| III | 21 (25%) |
| Medication | |
| Diuretics | 81 (98%) |
| ACE inhibitors/ARB | 54 (65%) |
| Beta‐blockers | 38 (46%) |
| Calcium antagonists | 31 (37%) |
| Digitalis | 7 (8%) |
| Nitrates | 6 (7%) |
Data present are values in mean ± standard deviation or number (percent).
ACE, angiotensin‐converting enzyme; ARB, angiotensin II receptor blocker; NYHA‐FC, New York Heart Association functional class; HF, heart failure.