Clinical Reminders in Test Reports to Improve Guideline Compliance

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Heart Failure, Congestive

• Registration Number: NCT00414401
• Lead Sponsor: US Department of Veterans Affairs

Brief Summary

Although beta-blockers are known to prolong survival for patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, their use in the community and the VA is suboptimal.

Detailed Description

Background:

Although beta-blockers are known to prolong survival for patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, their use in the community and the VA is suboptimal.

Objectives:

To determine if a reminder attached to the echocardiography report would increase the use of beta-blockers among patients with depressed left ventricular function.

Methods:

We are randomizing consecutive patients undergoing echocardiography at one of three VA echocardiography laboratories with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (\<40%) and no echocardiographic contraindication to beta-blockers (e.g. aortic stenosis) to a reminder for use of beta-blockers or to no reminder. The reminder gives starting doses for two commonly used beta-blockers (carvedilol and metoprolol). Patients are excluded from the analysis if they leave the health care system or die within three months of randomization. The primary outcome is a prescription for a beta-blocker between three and nine months following echocardiography

Status:

The project is complete.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2001-05
• Study Completion: 2006-06
• Status Verified: 2006-12
• Study First Submitted: 2006-12-19
• Study First Submitted QC: 2006-12-20
• Study First Posted: 2006-12-21
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-04-06
• Last Update Posted: 2015-04-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 1500

Inclusion Criteria

Those undergoing echocardiography at one of the participating laboratories with an ejection fraction < 45%.

Exclusion Criteria

aortic stenosis, mitral stenosis

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Prescription for any beta-blocker

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Prescription for carvedilol or metoprolol succinate

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA; 🇺🇸 Palo Alto, California, United States