Tolerability of beta-blockers in elderly patients with chronic heart failure: the COLA II study.

BACKGROUND: Beta-blockers are recommended therapy for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, there remains concern regarding tolerability of these agents in the elderly, which has contributed to the limited uptake of these agents in clinical practice. AIMS: We conducted a multi-national, prospective evaluation of tolerability to carvedilol in 1030 CHF patients aged >70 years selected by their treating physician to receive this agent in everyday practice. METHODS AND RESULTS: NYHA Class II-IV CHF patients were assessed at baseline for key demographic parameters that may predict tolerability, then followed for 6 months after starting carvedilol. Tolerability was defined as being on >or=6.25 mg bd of carvedilol at 6 months having received a total of >or=3 months therapy. Tolerability overall was 80% with age 70-75 years 84.3%, 76-80 years 76.8% and >80 years 76.8%. Mean carvedilol dose achieved was 31.2 mg. In multivariate analysis, advanced age, low diastolic BP, LVEF, obstructive airways disease and presence of diabetes were predictors of tolerability. CONCLUSIONS: Carvedilol appears to be well tolerated in this elderly CHF patient cohort. Therefore, elderly CHF patients should not be denied treatment with carvedilol because of concerns regarding tolerability.

Randomised controlled trial of hip protectors for the prevention of second hip fractures.

OBJECTIVE: to assess whether the use of Safehip hip protectors would prevent second hip fractures among men and women living in the community. DESIGN: pragmatic randomised controlled trial. SETTING: people living in the community. PARTICIPANTS: men and women aged 70 years and over who had sustained one hip fracture and who were living in the community. RESULTS: 366 men and women who were either living outside residential care or were about to be discharged back home were randomised to receive three pairs of hip protectors or to act as controls. Approximately 34% of participants allocated to receive hip protectors wore them every day. After a median follow up of 14 months 8 participants had a second hip fracture with 6 in the intervention and 2 in the control group (Odds Ratio for second hip fracture=3.10, 95% confidence interval 0.62-15.58). Hip protectors had no effect on risk of other fractures or on falls. CONCLUSION: this trial does not suggest a benefit of the studied hip protector among people living outside residential accommodation.