Postponement of Death by Pharmacological Heart Failure Treatment: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Outcome postponement has been proposed as an effect measure for preventive drug treatment. It describes the average delay of the investigated unwanted clinical event, achieved by taking medication.The objective was to estimate postponement of death for the following heart failure medications compared to placebo: Beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme – inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), ARB added to ACE-inhibitors, aldosterone-antagonists, ivabradine, and renin-antagonists.