Impact of a standardized titration protocol with carvedilol in heart failure: safety, tolerability, and efficacy-a report from the GESICA registry.

Grupo de Estudio de la Sobrevida en la Insuficiencia Cardiaca en Argentina (GESICA) studied whether a standardized protocol for the initiation and titration of the beta-blocker carvedilol in a multicenter, open-label program would optimize beta-blocker use in heart failure (HF) patients. The program included: (1) the carvedilol initiation and titration period, and (2) long-term follow-up at 6 and 12 months. Of 1299 patients in the registry, 504 were excluded due to current therapy; of the remaining 795 eligible patients, 293 were excluded due to contraindications. Of the included patients with follow-up data (n = 316), 93.3% tolerated carvedilol initiation and 47.7% of the patients reached the target dose of 50 mg/day for a mean dose of 39 mg/day. Rates were comparable in the elderly (n = 83), of which 53% achieved a target dose for a mean dose of 43.08 mg/day. This protocol improved therapy rates and achieved target doses quickly (average of 4 visits). Concomitant medications did not have to be adjusted and there were low withdrawal rates (10%) and hospital admissions (7.2%) for HF. Patients were able to maintain carvedilol therapy at 6 and 12 months. These results indicate that a standardized titration protocol, as used in GESICA, for the initiation and titration of beta-blockers is well tolerated and may improve beta-blocker use in carefully selected heart failure patients.