SPICE 2000.

Study characteristics
Methods	Multinational, multicenter, prospective DBRCT Follow‐up: 12 wks Background ACEI? No
Participants	N=768 patients with symptomatic CHF, due to IHD (71.5%), idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (15.9%), or other cause (12.6%), and history of discontinuing ACEI because of intolerance Mean age: 65.7 y Females: 31.1% NYHA Class: II–IV LVEF: <35%
Interventions	Candesartan, target dose 16 mg OD (n=179) Placebo (n=91)
Outcomes	Primary: Tolerability, defined as % of randomised population completing 12‐wk DB treatment period with candesartan 4, 8 or 16 mg Secondary: NYHA functional class; 6‐minute walk test; QoL, laboratory tests
Notes	Funding source: Astra Hassle, AB
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Not described.
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Not described.
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes	Low risk	Quote: "...candesartan or matching placebo."
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	Quote: "Major cardiovascular clinical events that occurred during the study period were ascertained for all patients."
Other bias	High risk	Funding source is manufacturer of candesartan.