Demographic data at baseline (n=67)
| Mean (range) age (years) | 74 (60–86) |
|---|---|
| Values are mean (SD) unless otherwise indicated. ACE, angiotensin converting enzyme; NYHA, New York Heart Association functional class. There were 49 patients in NYHA II, 17 in NYHA III, and 1 in NYHA IV | |
| Male sex | 44 (66%) |
| Ejection fraction | 0.36 (0.11) |
| NYHA class | II–IV |
| Heart rate (beats/min) | 86 (21) |
| Systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) | 134 (28) |
| Diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) | 81 (14) |
| Ischaemic heart disease | 44 (67%) |
| Atrial fibrillation | 32 (48%) |
| Hypertension | 19 (30%) |
| Diabetes mellitus | 10 (15%) |
| Cardiomyopathy | 9 (14%) |
| Valve disease | 5 (8%) |
| Furosemide | 63 (94%) |
| ACE inhibitors | 55 (82%) |
| β Blockers | 40 (60%) |
| Digitalis | 34 (51%) |