Effect of carvedilol on the left ventricular function and plasma natriuretic peptide level in patients with chronic systolic heart failure

Objective:To investigate the effects of carvedilol on the left ventricular function and plasma level of B-type natriuretic peptides(BNP)in patients with chronic systolic heart failure(CHF).Methods:Fifty-four patients with CHF were equally randomized into conventional therapy and carvedilol group.The former received medication of digoxin,diuretics and ACEI or ARB,and the latter were given carvedilol in addition to conventional therapy for 16 weeks.Determination of the heart function was performed before and after the treatment concerning plasma BNP,left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole(LVEDd).Results:Improved heart function and decreased BNP level were seen in both groups,though,significance was found in carvedilol group(P0.05),and yet,no significant difference was seen in the subjects with carvedilol intervention regarding LVEF and LVEDd,despite of increase or fall to a certain degree as compared with the conventional therapy group.Conclusion:Additional carvedilol on conventional medication basis can be more effective in treatment of patients with CHF by bettering the left ventricular function but decreasing plasma BNP.