[Baseline characteristics and changes in treatment after a period of optimization of the patients included in the study EFICAR]. / Características basales y cambios en el tratamiento tras el periodo de optimización de los pacientes incluidos en el estudio EFICAR.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To describe the baseline date and drugs therapy changes during treatment optimization in patients with heart failure with depressed systolic function included in the EFICAR study. DESIGN: Multicenter randomized clinical trial. LOCATION Seven Health Centers. PARTICIPANTS: 150 patients (ICFSD) age 68±10 years, 77% male. MEASUREMENTS Sociodemographic variables, comorbidities (Charlson index), functional capacity and quality of life. Drug therapy optimization was performed. RESULTS: The main etiology was ischemic heart disease (45%), with 89% in functional class II. The Charlson index was 2.03±1.05. The ejection fraction mean was 37%±8, 19% with ejection fraction <30%. With the stress test 6.3±1.6 mean was reached, with the 6 minutes test 446±78 meters and the chair test 13.7±4.4 seconds. The overall quality of life with ejection fraction was 22.8±18.7 and with the Short Form-36 Health Survey, physical health 43.3±8.4 and mental health 50.1±10.6. After optimizing the treatment, the percentage of patients on drugs therapy and the dose of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists and beta-blockers were not changed. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the subjects are in functional class II, with functional capacity and quality of life decreased and comorbidity index high. A protocolized drug therapy adjustment did not increase the dose or number of patients with effective drugs for heart failure with depressed systolic function.