Beta-blockers for the prevention of sudden cardiac death in heart failure patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Muaamar Al-GOBARI∗, François PILLON, François GUEYFFIER Laboratoire de Biologie et Biométrie Evolutive - Equipe Modélisation des Effets Thérapeutiques, UMR 5558, Rue Guillaume Paradin, Bp8071, 69376 Lyon Cedex08, France. Service de Pharmacologie Clinique et essais thérapeutiques, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France Background Beta-blockers have been reported to decrease sudden cardiac death (SCD) in heart failure patients in many studies; other studies reported contrasted results. Additionally, several large, more contemporary, randomized control trials of beta blockers have been completed. Thus a systematic review is required to provide an up-to-date synthesis of the available data. Methods and results We conducted a meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials examining the use of beta-blockers vs. placebo/control for the prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in heart failure patients. We identified 23 trials, which randomized 20032 patients to beta-blocker or placebo/control. Eligible studies had to be randomized controlled trials and providing information on the incidence of sudden cardiac death in heart failure patients. Additional inclusion criteria included: treatment for >30 days and follow-up >= 3 months. Studies of patients = 3 months. Studies of patients