Anemia and change in hemoglobin over time related to mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic heart failure: results from Val-HeFT.

Background: Anemia is known to be a prognostic marker for patients with heart failure. However, little is known about the prognostic value of changes in hemoglobin (Hgb) over time or about the causes of anemia.

Methods And Results: Retrospective analysis of Valsartan Heart Failure Trial data indicated that the quartile of patients with the biggest average decrease in Hgb over 12 months (from 14.

Comparison of treatment benefit and outcome in women versus men with chronic heart failure (from the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial).

The comparison of treatment effect and co-morbidity between the genders in the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial showed equal benefit of treatment in men and women. Co-morbidities, such as diabetes and coronary artery disease, increased nonfatal cardiac morbidity more in women than in men.

Morbidity, mortality, physiologic and functional parameters in elderly and non-elderly patients in the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial (Val-HeFT).

Background: The Valsartan Heart Failure Trial (Val-HeFT) demonstrated the favorable effects of the addition of valsartan to prescribed heart failure (HF) therapy on HF hospitalization, and functional and physiological parameters. As the prevalence of HF morbidity and mortality are increased in the elderly, the effect of valsartan in the elderly is of clinical significance.

Methods: In this post-hoc analysis, morbidity, mortality, left ventricular (LV) size and function, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), aldosterone, norepinephrine (NE), quality of life, and treatment effect with valsartan were examined by subgroups of 2350 elderly (>or= 65 years) and 2660 non-elderly (< 65 years) patients enrolled in Val-HeFT.

Effect of valsartan added to background ACE inhibitor therapy in patients with heart failure: results from Val-HeFT.

Aims: To investigate the effect of valsartan in the Valsartan-Heart Failure Trial (Val-HeFT) when added to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) alone in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods: Subjects in Val-HeFT receiving ACEi but not beta-blocker at baseline were analysed; 1532 were assigned to valsartan and 1502 assigned to placebo. Primary outcome events (all-cause mortality, hospitalisation for adjudicated heart failure, sudden death with resuscitation and need for >4 h of parenteral therapy for worsening heart failure) were monitored.

Severity of left ventricular remodeling defines outcomes and response to therapy in heart failure: Valsartan heart failure trial (Val-HeFT) echocardiographic data.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the severity of left ventricular remodeling predicts the response to treatment and outcomes in chronic heart failure.

Background: Reversal of remodeling should produce the most favorable outcome in patients with the most severe remodeling.

Methods: In 5010 heart failure patients on background therapy and randomized to valsartan and placebo, serial recordings of left ventricular internal diastolic diameter (LVIDd) and ejection fraction (EF) were read at sites that had to meet qualifying standards before participating.