Closing the Digitalis Divide: Back to the Basics of Randomized Controlled Trials.

PURPOSE: Publishe d decades after several randomized controlled trials (RCT) demonstrating decreased hospitalizations and no effect on all-cause mortality with digoxin use, a series of meta-analyses linking digoxin treatment and mortality have contributed to a narrower application of this medication for the management of heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Given the conflicting data from the earlier RCTs and more recent meta-analyses, there is a growing polarization among providers for and against the use of digoxin in managing these conditions. METHODS: To help close this divide, we provide a perspective on the literature with special attention to the quality of both older and more recent studies on this subject. RESULTS: The data from the highest quality studies we have, RCTs, suggest that digoxin use in patients with HF and/or AF is associated with improvement in several areas of outcomes including functional capacity, symptom management, reduced hospitalizations, fewer deaths due to HF, and treatment of refractory chronic heart failure with rEF, and may even have overall mortality benefit when serum digoxin concentrations are within therapeutic range. These effects are more pronounced in patients with EF < 25% and NYHA Class II-IV and at highest risk for hospitalization. CONCLUSION: As the risk of confounding factors was minimized by the study design, the likelihood that positive outcomes were identified with digoxin use increased. Clinicians and researchers need further adequately designed and powered RCTs exploring the connection between digoxin therapy and mortality, hospitalizations, and symptom management.

Improved spatial resolution of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging of lipids in the brain by alkylated derivatives of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid.

RATIONALE: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is one of the major techniques for mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) of biological systems along with secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and desorption electrospray mass spectrometry (DESI). The inherent variability of MALDI-MSI signals within intact tissues is related to the heterogeneity of both the sample surface and the matrix crystallization. To circumvent some of these limitations of MALDI-MSI, we have developed improved matrices for lipid analysis based on structural modification of the commonly used matrix 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB). METHODS: We have synthesized DHB containing -C6H13 and -C12H25 alkyl chains and applied these matrices to rat brain using a capillary sprayer. We utilized a Bruker Ultraflex II MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometer to analyze lipid extracts and tissue sections, and examined these sections with polarized light microscopy and differential interference contrast microscopy. RESULTS: O-alkylation of DHB yields matrices, which, when applied to brain sections, follow a trend of phase transition from crystals to an oily layer in the sequence DHB → DHB-C6H13 → DHB-C12H25 . MALDI-MSI images acquired with DHB-C12H25 exhibited a considerably higher density of lipids than DHB. CONCLUSIONS: Comparative experiments with DHB and DHB-C12H25 are presented, which indicate that the latter matrix affords higher lateral resolution than the former.

'There's no place like home': perceptions of home-based HIV testing in Lesotho.

HIV testing has the potential to reduce HIV transmission by identifying and counseling individuals with HIV, reducing risk behaviors, linking persons with HIV to care and earlier treatment, and reducing perinatal transmission. In Lesotho, a high HIV prevalence country in which a large proportion of the population has never tested for HIV, home-based testing (HBT) may be an important strategy to increase HIV testing. We identified factors influencing acceptability of HIV prevention strategies among a convenience sample of 200 pregnant or post-partum Basotho women and 30 Basotho men. We first conducted cross-sectional surveys, followed by key informant interviews with all 30 men and focus group discussions with a sub-set of 62 women. In total, 82% of women reported positive perceptions of HBT; women and men viewed HBT as a potential way to increase testing among men and saw the home as a comfortable, supportive environment for testing and counseling couples and families together. Potential barriers to HBT uptake included concerns about confidentiality, privacy, coercion to test, conflict within the family and fear of HIV/AIDS-associated stigma. Participants emphasized community mobilization and education as important elements of HBT.

Eplerenone improves prognosis in postmyocardial infarction diabetic patients with heart failure: results from EPHESUS.

BACKGROUND: The Epleronone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study (EPHESUS) trial demonstrated that selective aldosterone blockade with eplerenone significantly reduced total mortality by 15%, combined cardiovascular (CV) mortality/CV hospitalization by 13%, CV mortality by 17% and sudden cardiac death by 21%, vs. placebo when added to standard care in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and signs of congestive heart failure (CHF) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We retrospectively evaluated the effect of eplerenone vs. placebo in a subset of 1483 diabetic patients with LVSD and signs of CHF following AMI. METHODS: Diabetic status was determined from medical histories at screening. Analyses were based on time to first occurrence of an event. Results were based on a Cox's proportional hazards regression model stratified by region with treatment, subgroup and treatment-by-subgroup interaction as factors. The 95% confidence intervals for the risk ratios were based on the Wald's test. RESULTS: Treatment with eplerenone in diabetic patients with CHF following AMI reduced the risk of the primary endpoint, a composite of CV mortality or CV hospitalization, by 17% (p = 0.031). The absolute risk reduction of the primary endpoint was greater in the diabetic cohort (5.1%) than in the non-diabetic cohort (3%). Hyperkalaemia occurred more often with eplerenone than with placebo (5.6 vs. 3%, p = 0.015). Among the diabetic cohorts, the prespecified endpoint of 'any CV disorder' occurred in 28% of the eplerenone group and 35% of the placebo group (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Eplerenone treatment may reduce adverse CV events in diabetic patients with LVSD and signs of CHF following AMI.

Impact of Hyperkalemia and Worsening Renal Function on the Use of Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System Inhibitors in Chronic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFREF) are at increased risk of death and hospitalizations for HF. Numerous registries have reported a large and persistent gap between real-life practice in the use of life-saving evidence-based therapies, such as renin angiotensin system inhibitors, beta blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and recommended practices in international guidelines. The fears of inducing hyperkalemia and/or worsening renal function are the main triggers of this underuse.

Depressive symptoms and hazardous/harmful alcohol use are prevalent and correlate with stigma among TB-HIV patients in Lesotho.

SETTING: Limited data exist on the prevalence and correlates, including stigma, of mental health conditions, including depressive symptoms and alcohol use, among patients co-infected with tuberculosis (TB) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in sub-Saharan Africa, despite their negative impact on health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms and hazardous/harmful alcohol use among TB-HIV patients in the Start TB patients on ART and Retain on Treatment (START) study. DESIGN: START, a mixed-methods cluster-randomized trial, evaluated a combination intervention package vs. standard of care (SOC) to improve treatment outcomes in TB-HIV co-infected patients in Lesotho. Moderate/severe depressive symptoms and hazardous/harmful alcohol use were measured using baseline questionnaire data collected from April 2013 to March 2015. Demographic, psychosocial, and TB- and HIV-related knowledge and attitudes, including stigma, were assessed for association with both conditions using generalized linear mixed models. RESULTS: Among 371 participants, 29.8% reported moderate/severe depressive symptoms, and 24.7% reported hazardous/harmful alcohol use; 7% reported both. Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with less education, more difficulty understanding written medical information, non-disclosure of TB, greater TB stigma, and the SOC study arm. Hazardous/harmful alcohol use was significantly associated with male sex, as well as greater TB and external HIV stigma. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of depressive symptoms and hazardous/harmful alcohol use were high, suggesting a need for routine screening for, and treatment of, mental health disorders in TB-HIV patients.

Pulmonary tuberculosis diagnostic practices among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus in Lesotho.

SETTING: Twelve health facilities in Berea District, Lesotho, that participated in the Start TB Patients on ART and Retain on Treatment (START) Study, a mixed-methods cluster-randomized trial evaluating a combination intervention package to improve early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and anti-tuberculosis treatment success among patients with tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). OBJECTIVE: To assess TB and HIV diagnostic practices among TB-HIV patients. DESIGN: A standardized survey assessed services at each facility at baseline. Routine clinical data were abstracted for all newly registered adult TB-HIV patients during the study period. Descriptive statistics were used to assess TB diagnostic practices, timing of the HIV diagnosis, and ART status at TB treatment initiation. RESULTS: Between April 2013 and March 2015, 1233 TB-HIV patients were enrolled. Among 1215 patients with available data, 87.2% had pulmonary TB, of which 34.8% were bacteriologically confirmed, 40.9% tested negative and 24.3% were not tested. Among 1138 patients with available data, 53.3% had an existing HIV diagnosis, of whom 39.3% were ART-naïve. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of pulmonary TB patients were clinically diagnosed, and many were unaware of their HIV status or were ART-naïve despite known status. The Test and Treat Strategy holds promise to prevent TB and reduce TB-related mortality among people living with HIV; however, enhanced TB diagnostic capacity and improved HIV case detection are urgently needed.

Combined baseline and one-month changes in big endothelin-1 and brain natriuretic peptide plasma concentrations predict clinical outcomes in patients with left ventricular dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction: Insights from the Eplerenone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study (EPHESUS) study.

OBJECTIVE: Increased levels of neuro-hormonal biomarkers predict poor prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). The predictive value of repeated (one-month interval) brain natriuretic peptides (BNP) and big-endothelin 1 (BigET-1) measurements were investigated in patients with LVSD after AMI. METHODS: In a sub-study of the Eplerenone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study (EPHESUS trial), BNP and BigET-1 were measured at baseline and at 1month in 476 patients. RESULTS: When included in the same Cox regression model, baseline BNP (p=0.0003) and BigET-1 (p=0.026) as well as the relative changes (after 1month) from baseline in BNP (p=0.049) and BigET-1 (p=0.045) were predictive of the composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for worsening heart failure. Adding baseline and changes in BigET-1 to baseline and changes in BNP led to a significant increase in prognostic reclassification as assessed by integrated discrimination improvement index (5.0%, p=0.01 for the primary endpoint). CONCLUSIONS: Both increased baseline and changes after one month in BigET-1 concentrations were shown to be associated with adverse clinical outcomes, independently from BNP baseline levels and one month changes, in patients after recent AMI complicated with LVSD. This novel result may be of clinical interest since such combined biomarker assessment could improve risk stratification and open new avenues for biomarker-guided targeted therapies. KEY MESSAGES: In the present study, we report for the first time in a population of patients with reduced LVEF after AMI and signs or symptoms of congestive HF, that increased baseline values of BNP and BigET-1 as well as a further rise of these markers over the first month after AMI, were independently predictive of future cardiovascular events. This approach may therefore be of clinical interest with the potential of improving risk stratification after AMI with reduced LVEF while further opening new avenues for biomarker-guided targeted therapies.

Limitation of excessive extracellular matrix turnover may contribute to survival benefit of spironolactone therapy in patients with congestive heart failure: insights from the randomized aldactone evaluation study (RALES). Rales Investigators.

BACKGROUND: In congestive heart failure (CHF), extracellular matrix turnover is a major determinant of cardiac remodeling. It has been suggested that spironolactone may decrease cardiac fibrosis. We investigated the interactions between serum markers of cardiac fibrosis and the effect of spironolactone on outcome in patients with CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: A sample of 261 patients from the Randomized Aldactone Evaluation Study (RALES) were randomized to placebo or spironolactone (12.5 to 50 mg daily). Serum procollagen type I carboxy-terminal peptide, procollagen type I amino-terminal peptide, and procollagen type III amino-terminal peptide (PIIINP) were assessed at baseline and at 6 months. Baseline PIIINP >3.85 microgram/L was associated with an increased risk of death (relative risk [RR] 2.36, 95% CI 1.34 to 4.18) and of death+hospitalization (RR 1.83, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.83). At 6 months, markers decreased in the spironolactone group but remained unchanged in the placebo group. The spironolactone effect on outcome was significant only in patients with above-median baseline levels of markers. RR (95% CI) values for death among patients receiving spironolactone were 0.44 (0.26 to 0.75) and 1.11 (0.66 to 1.88) in subgroups of PIIINP levels above and below the median, respectively. Similarly, RR (95% CI) values for death+hospitalization among patients receiving spironolactone were 0.45 (0.29 to 0.71) and 0.85 (0.55 to 1.33), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CHF, high baseline serum levels of markers of cardiac fibrosis synthesis are significantly associated with poor outcome and decrease during spironolactone therapy. The benefit from spironolactone was associated with higher levels of collagen synthesis markers. These results suggest that limitation of the excessive extracellular matrix turnover may be one of the various extrarenal mechanisms contributing to the beneficial effect of spironolactone in patients with CHF.

Effect of amlodipine on the progression of atherosclerosis and the occurrence of clinical events. PREVENT Investigators.

BACKGROUND: The results of angiographic studies have suggested that calcium channel-blocking agents may prevent new coronary lesion formation, the progression of minimal lesions, or both. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Prospective Randomized Evaluation of the Vascular Effects of Norvasc Trial (PREVENT) was a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked clinical trial designed to test whether amlodipine would slow the progression of early coronary atherosclerosis in 825 patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease. The primary outcome was the average 36-month angiographic change in mean minimal diameters of segments with a baseline diameter stenosis of 30%. A secondary hypothesis was whether amlodipine would reduce the rate of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries as assessed with B-mode ultrasonography, which measured intimal-medial thicknesses (IMT). The rates of clinical events were also monitored. The placebo and amlodipine groups had nearly identical average 36-month reductions in the minimal diameter: 0.084 versus 0.095 mm, respectively (P:=0.38). In contrast, amlodipine had a significant effect in slowing the 36-month progression of carotid artery atherosclerosis: the placebo group experienced a 0.033-mm increase in IMT, whereas there was a 0. 0126-mm decrease in the amlodipine group (P:=0.007). There was no treatment difference in the rates of all-cause mortality or major cardiovascular events, although amlodipine use was associated with fewer cases of unstable angina and coronary revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Amlodipine has no demonstrable effect on angiographic progression of coronary atherosclerosis or the risk of major cardiovascular events but is associated with fewer hospitalizations for unstable angina and revascularization.

Use of converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction.

The Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) prevention trial evaluated 4,228 patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction < or = 35% who were not receiving drug therapy for heart failure. Patients were randomized to treatment with enalapril or placebo in a dose of 2.5 to 20 mg/day. Patients randomized to enalapril showed a 37% reduction in the development of heart failure and a 36% reduction in hospitalization for heart failure (p < or = 0.001). However, there was only an 8% reduction in total mortality and a 14% reduction in cardiovascular mortality (p = NS). On the basis of the SOLVD prevention trial, patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction due to either ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy should be started on treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor to prevent the development of and hospitalization for heart failure.

Are all angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors interchangeable?

In the treatment of most medical conditions, there are many choices. A critical question for practicing clinicians is: "Are all drugs within a class interchangeable?" In the past decade, the market has seen a proliferation of drugs within popular drug classes. The original drugs within a class typically have better scientific documentation than the newer ones, which are often referred to as "me-too" drugs. Due to a lesser financial investment, the latter may be available at a lower cost. Good reasons exist for grouping drugs, however, there is no accepted definition of the term "class effect." Although members of a drug class share main actions, they may have clinically important differences in terms of efficacy and safety. There are many such examples in the literature. This article reviews the class effect concept as it applies to the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Only half of the 10 ACE inhibitors available in the U.S. have been shown to improve survival and reduce morbidity in patients with heart failure or myocardial infarction. It is unknown whether the other five have the same safety and efficacy profiles or what their optimal doses are. Thus, we do not know whether all ACE inhibitors are fully interchangeable. The practice of medicine ought to be based on solid scientific evidence, not on assumptions or extrapolations. For our patients, such practice is a legitimate expectation. Therefore, it seems prudent to recommend that patients requiring ACE inhibitor therapy be prescribed one that has been proven effective and safe.

Effects of reperfusion on complete heart block complicating anterior myocardial infarction.

Two patients with complete heart block complicating extensive anterior myocardial infarction underwent late (greater than 40 hours) coronary reperfusion with angioplasty. One to one atrioventricular conduction was restored within minutes of reperfusion despite a lack of measurable ventricular muscle salvage as demonstrated by ventriculography 1 week later. The evidence favors reversible ischemia rather than extensive necrosis of the proximal conduction system as the mechanism of heart block in this subgroup of patients.

Prospects for the use of antagonists to the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor to prevent post-angioplasty restenosis and thrombosis.

Despite many advances since its inception in humans in 1977, coronary angioplasty continues to be limited by the problems of abrupt arterial closure and late restenosis. Excessive platelet deposition at the site of angioplasty undoubtedly plays an important role in the pathophysiology of both of these problems. Monoclonal antibodies and snake venom-derived or synthetic peptides directed against a common protein recognition sequence on the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor are currently in the early stages of preclinical and clinical testing and hold promise of preventing abrupt closure and restenosis by inhibiting platelet function. Whether any of these agents will eventually be commonly used in clinical practice will depend on their effects on the complex pathophysiology of these problems and on their safety profile when administered to patients who are likely to receive other antithrombotic medications and who are instrumented for coronary angioplasty.

Clinical consequences of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor withdrawal in chronic heart failure: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of quinapril. The Quinapril Heart Failure Trial Investigators.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to assess the efficacy, safety and clinical consequences of abrupt cessation of quinapril therapy in a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind withdrawal trial. BACKGROUND: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy has assumed a pivotal role in the treatment of chronic heart failure. Quinapril hydrochloride, a nonsulfydryl angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, has shown beneficial clinical effects in previous studies. METHODS: After > or = 10 weeks of single-blind quinapril therapy, 224 patients with New York Heart Association class II or III heart failure were randomized in double-blind fashion to continue quinapril (n = 114) or to receive placebo (n = 110) for 16 weeks. Changes in treadmill exercise time, New York Heart Association functional class, quality of life and symptoms of heart failure were assessed. RESULTS: Patients withdrawn to placebo had a significant deterioration in exercise tolerance (median change -16 s with placebo vs. +3 s with quinapril, p = 0.015). New York Heart Association functional class (p = 0.004) and quality of life were improved and signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure were lessened in those remaining on quinapril therapy compared with those receiving placebo. During double-blind treatment, 18 patients were withdrawn from the placebo group because of worsening heart failure compared with 5 patients withdrawn from quinapril treatment (p < 0.001). Rather than a precipitous deterioration of clinical status or early incidence of adverse events, withdrawal from quinapril was associated with steady worsening of heart failure, beginning 4 to 6 weeks after randomization to placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Quinapril is effective and safe for maintaining clinical stability in patients with moderate congestive heart failure. Withdrawal of quinapril from patients with heart failure results in a slow progressive decline in clinical status.

Pravastatin limitation of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries (PLAC I): reduction in atherosclerosis progression and clinical events. PLAC I investigation.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of pravastatin on progression of coronary atherosclerosis and ischemic events in patients with coronary artery disease and mild to moderate hyperlipidemia. BACKGROUND: Few clinical trial data support the use of lipid-lowering therapy in patients with coronary artery disease and mild to moderate elevations in cholesterol levels. METHODS: Four hundred eight patients (mean age 57 years) with coronary artery disease and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol > or = 130 mg/dl (3.36 mmol/liter) but < 190 mg/dl ([4.91 mmol/liter]) despite diet were randomized in a 3-year study to receive pravastatin or placebo. Atherosclerosis progression was evaluated by quantitative coronary arteriography. RESULTS: Baseline mean LDL cholesterol was 164 mg/dl (4.24 mmol/liter). Pravastatin decreased total and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels by 19%, 28% and 8%, respectively, and increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol by 7% (p < or = 0.001 vs. placebo for all lipid variables). Progression of atherosclerosis was reduced by 40% for minimal vessel diameter (p = 0.04), particularly in lesions < 50% stenosis at baseline. There was a consistent although not statistically significant effect on mean diameter and percent diameter stenosis. There were also fewer new lesions in those assigned pravastatin (p < or = 0.03). Myocardial infarction was reduced during active treatment (8 in the pravastatin group, 17 in the placebo group; log-rank test, p < or = 0.05; 60% risk reduction), with the benefit beginning to emerge after 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with coronary artery disease and mild to moderate cholesterol elevations, pravastatin reduces progression of coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. The time course of event reduction increases the potential for a relatively rapid decrease in the clinical manifestations of coronary artery disease with lipid lowering.

Independent prognostic information provided by sphygmomanometrically determined pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of baseline pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure to mortality in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. BACKGROUND: Increased conduit vessel stiffness increases pulse pressure and pulsatile load, potentially contributing to adverse outcomes in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. METHODS: Pulse and mean arterial pressure were analyzed for their effect on mortality, adjusting for other modifiers of risk, using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis of data collected from 6,781 patients randomized into the Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction trials. RESULTS: Pulse and mean arterial pressure were related positively to each other, age, ejection fraction and prevalence of diabetes and hypertension and inversely to prior myocardial infarction and beta-adrenergic blocking agent use. Higher pulse pressure was associated with increased prevalence of female gender, greater calcium channel blocking agent, digoxin and diuretic use, lower heart rate and a higher rate of reported smoking history. Higher mean arterial pressure was associated with higher heart rate, lower calcium channel blocker and digoxin use and lower New York Heart Association functional class. Over a 61-month follow-up 1,582 deaths (1,397 cardiovascular) occurred. In a multivariate analysis adjusting for the above covariates and treatment assignment, higher pulse pressure remained an independent predictor of total and cardiovascular mortality (total mortality relative risk, 1.05 per 10 mm Hg increment; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.10; p = 0.02). Mean arterial pressure was inversely related to total and cardiovascular mortality (total mortality relative risk, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 0.94; p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: One noninvasive blood pressure measurement provides two independent prognostic factors for survival. Increased conduit vessel stiffness, as assessed by pulse pressure, may contribute to increased mortality in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, independent of mean arterial pressure.

Predictors of total mortality and sudden death in mild to moderate heart failure. Captopril-Digoxin Study Group.

The relation between baseline clinical variables and subsequent mortality was examined in 295 patients with mild to moderate heart failure who participated in a multicenter trial comparing the effect on treadmill exercise tolerance of captopril, digoxin and placebo given in addition to a diuretic drug. At baseline study, all patients had a left ventricular ejection fraction less than or equal to 40%; 81% were in New York Heart Association functional class II. The etiology of heart failure was ischemic in 62% and nonischemic in 38%. During an average follow-up period of 16 months, 47 patients (16%) died and 24 deaths were classified as sudden. By univariate analysis, left ventricular ejection fraction, ventricular premature beat frequency, couplet frequency, ventricular tachycardia frequency, functional class, treadmill exercise time and nonischemic heart disease were statistically associated with mortality. With multiple logistic regression analysis, left ventricular ejection fraction was identified as the variable most closely associated with total mortality (p = 0.006). Twenty-seven percent of patients with an ejection fraction less than or equal to 20% died compared with 7% with an ejection fraction greater than or equal to 30%. Ventricular tachycardia frequency on Holter monitoring was independently associated with both total mortality (p = 0.008) and sudden death (p = 0.003). Patients with a ventricular tachycardia frequency of greater than 0.088 events/h had a mortality rate of 34% compared with 12% in those without ventricular tachycardia. In the multivariate model, functional class (p = 0.02) and etiology of nonischemic heart disease (p = 0.04) remained as independent predictors of mortality, whereas treadmill exercise duration did not.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)