Baseline demographic characteristics of patients in the randomised study (n = 44)
| Characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Data are mean (SD) or number (%). | |
| ACE, angiotensin converting enzyme; Ang, angiotensin; CHF, chronic heart failure; NYHA, New York Heart Association. | |
| Age (years) | 67 (9) |
| Men/women | 34/9 |
| NYHA class (II/III) | 31/12 |
| Cause of CHF | |
| Ischaemic | 31 |
| Cardiomyopathy | 4 |
| Valvar heart disease | 2 |
| Other | 6 |
| Drug treatment | |
| ACE inhibitor | 38 (89%) |
| Ang II antagonist | 3 (7%) |
| β Blocker | 23 (54%) |
| Spironolactone | 13 (30%) |
| Nitrate | 12 (28%) |
| Calcium antagonist | 6 (14%) |
| Digoxin | 13 (30%) |
| Statin | 26 (60%) |
| Aspirin | 29 (67%) |
| Clopidogrel | 4 (9%) |
| History of diabetes mellitus | 5 (11.6%) |
| History of hypertension | 15 (34.9%) |
| History of atrial fibrillation | 12 (28%) |
| Smoking history | |
| Never | 14 |
| Former | 19 |
| Current | 9 |