Single- and multiple-dose escalation study to assess pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of oral esaxerenone in healthy Japanese subjects

AIMS

To characterize the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of esaxerenone, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, in healthy adult Japanese men.

METHODS

Double-blind, placebo-controlled, sequential, dose-escalation studies were conducted in subjects randomized to receive oral once-daily esaxerenone (ranges: 5-200 mg [single-dose]; 10-100 mg over 10 days [multiple-dose]) or placebo under fasting conditions. Plasma concentrations were analysed by liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by noncompartment analysis. Plasma/urine levels of pharmacodynamic biomarkers for mineralocorticoid receptor activity were evaluated.

RESULTS

In total, 48/48 and 39/40 subjects completed the single- and multiple-dose studies, respectively. Exposures were generally dose-proportional. The t_max , t_1/2 and CL/F remained unchanged, independent of dose; the respective ranges were 1.5-4.0 h, 22.3-25.1 h, and 4.0-5.2 l h^-1 (multiple-dose study). V_z /F ranged from 136.5 to 283.7 l in the multiple-dose study, and exposure reached steady state by day 4. The mean observed accumulation ratio, by dose, ranged from 1.36-1.98. The urinary Na⁺ /K⁺ ratio increased after single-dose administration; however, its relationship to the doses tested remains unclear. Plasma renin activity, active renin concentration and aldosterone concentration increased dose-dependently. Although blood potassium levels increased dose-dependently in the multiple-dose study (reaching a maximum mean ± standard deviation of 4.63 ± 0.354 mmol l^-1 in the 100-mg group), no safety/tolerability-related problems were detected in either study.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure levels in healthy adults receiving esaxerenone were generally dose-proportional. Dose-dependent changes in plasma pharmacodynamic biomarkers for the mineralocorticoid receptor were identified during multiple-dose treatment and support the pharmacological activity of esaxerenone. No important safety concerns were identified.

A New Treatment for Dialysis-Related Amyloidosis with β 2-Microglobulin Adsorbent Column

Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) is characterized by the presence of β 2-microglobulin (β 2-m) in the plasma. In order to eliminate β 2-m from the circulating blood, the β 2-m selective adsorbent for direct hemoperfusion (DHP) was developed. A DHP column (BM-01), containing 350 ml of the adsorbent, was subjected to clinical trials. The column was connected with a PAN (AN69) membrane dialyzer in series and used 3 times a week for 1 week (11 patients), 4 weeks (5 patients), 6 months (1 patient) and 12 months (2 patients). The percent reduction (%) of β 2-m was for 16 patients (for 1 or 4 weeks), more than 65, and for 3 patients (for more than 6 months), 76.5 ± 4.9, 73.5 ± 5.7, 72.2 ± 6.2. At the end of each session, β 2-m plasma levels were found to be below 10 mg/L, with 3.4 mg/L being the lowest. The total amounts of β 2-m removed were 172.5 ± 22.3, 257.0 ± 75.6, 157.6 ± 32.2 and 429.8 mg/session at max. Two out of these three patients had a favorable effect on joint symptoms and ocular fundus. It can be concluded that this selective adsorption therapy may delay the progression of DRA, and is worth considering for wide application.

Response of porcine epithelial rests of Malassez to stimulation by interleukin-6

AIM

To investigate the proliferation and migration of epithelial cell rests of Malassez (ERM) after stimulation with IL-6.

METHODOLOGY

Porcine-derived ERM were seeded on Dulbecco's modified Eagle's Medium, and IL-6 (100 pg mL^-1 ) was incorporated into the culture medium. The WST-1 assay was performed to evaluate cell proliferation, and absorption was measured at 450 nm. A wound-healing assay and immunofluorescence assay for integrin α₃ were conducted to investigate migration. The Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U-test with Bonferroni correction were used to analyse data of WST-1 and wound-healing assays.

RESULTS

Cell proliferation following the stimulation by IL-6 increased over time, with a significant increase being observed at 6 h (P < 0.05), but not in a concentration-dependent manner. Cell proliferation was significantly greater in IL-6-treated ERM than in nontreated ERM (P < 0.05). The results of the wound-healing assay revealed earlier closure in IL-6-treated ERM (P < 0.05). In the immunofluorescence assay, integrin α₃ was detected at the edge of cell processes adjacent to the wound area. A neutralized antibody abrogated the effects of the IL-6 stimulation in cell proliferation and migration.

CONCLUSION

IL-6 promoted the proliferation and migration of porcine ERM in vitro.

A phase 1 study comparing the proposed biosimilar BS-503a with bevacizumab in healthy male volunteers

This is a randomized, double-blind, single-dose, parallel group phase 1 study to assess pharmacokinetic similarity, safety, and tolerability of BS-503a, a proposed bevacizumab biosimilar. A total of 114 male healthy subjects were randomized (1:1) to receive a single 3 mg/kg intravenous dose of either BS-503a or bevacizumab (Avastin®). Pharmacokinetic (PK) blood samples were collected up to Day 78, and serum drug concentrations were measured using a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pharmacokinetic similarity was evaluated using area under the serum concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC inf) as a primary PK parameter, and maximum serum concentration (Cmax) and area under the serum concentration-time curve from zero to the last measurable time (AUC last) as secondary PK parameters. The 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of geometric mean ratio of AUC inf ranged 0.980-1.105, which met the predefined criteria of 0.80-1.25. The 90% CIs of geometric mean ratios for Cmax and AUC last were 1.009-1.125 and 0.982-1.096, respectively, falling into the same criteria. At least one drug-related treatment emergent adverse event occurred in 18 and 21 subjects treated with BS-503a and bevacizumab, respectively. The most common adverse events were headache, epistaxis, and rhinorrhea. Most adverse events were mild or moderate; however, one drug-related serious adverse event of duodenal ulcer perforation was reported by a subject 47 days after treatment of BS-503a. In conclusion, BS-503a was demonstrated to have highly similar PK to bevacizumab and adverse events observed were consistent with those observed for bevacizumab.

Persistent olmesartan-based blood pressure-lowering effects on morning hypertension in Asians: the HONEST study

Using data from the large-scale HONEST (Home blood pressure measurement with Olmesartan Naive patients to Establish Standard Target blood pressure) study, we investigated the characteristics of the effects of olmesartan-based treatment on morning hypertension in Asian hypertensive patients. Specifically, we investigated the relationship between baseline blood pressure (BP) and BP reduction after 16 weeks by linear regression analyses; determinants of BP reduction were also investigated. For both morning home BP (MHBP) and clinic BP (CBP), reduced systolic BP (SBP) after 16 weeks was associated with baseline SBP (P<0.001). The slope of the regression lines was similar for morning home SBP (MHSBP) (-0.744) and clinic SBP (-0.735). Although sex, concomitant diabetes mellitus and concomitant hepatic disease significantly influence the relationship between BP reduction and baseline BP for MHSBP, none were deemed clinically relevant. In conclusion, olmesartan-based treatment robustly reduced baseline high MHBP, similar to CBP, and the effect was associated with baseline BP but unaffected by patient background factors.

Differences between clinic blood pressure and morning home blood pressure, as shown by Bland-Altman plots, in a large observational study (HONEST study)

When interpreting home blood pressure (BP) measurements in hypertensive patients, differences between clinic and home BP should be noted. To investigate the differences between clinic and morning home BP in hypertensive patients, we analyzed clinic systolic BP (CSBP) and morning home systolic BP (MHSBP) data from the large-scale observational HONEST (Home BP measurement with Olmesartan Naive patients to Establish Standard Target blood pressure) study (n=21 340), using BP measurements obtained before starting olmesartan administration. We generated Bland-Altman plots, with the horizontal axis representing mean CSBP and MHSBP ([CSBP+MHSBP]/2) and the vertical axis representing the difference between CSBP and MHSBP (CSBP-MHSBP). We also did simulation experiments to explore factors affecting the results of the Bland-Altman plots. The difference between CSBP and MHSBP increased as the mean of the two values increased, and when the mean of CSBP and MHSBP was close to 140 mm Hg, the difference was theoretically 0 in average, although large interindividual BP variability existed in this BP range. Results were unaffected by factors such as previous antihypertensive treatment, age and concomitant diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Bland-Altman plots generated from simulated data of normal distribution showed that the slope of the regression line sloped upward, consistent with the results of the HONEST study, when the interindividual BP variability of MHSBP was less than that of CSBP. In conclusion, differences between mean CSBP and MHSBP may be caused by large interindividual variability in CSBP. Therefore, the differences between MHSBP and CSBP may vary between patient groups, which should be noted in the management of hypertension.

Actin stabilization induces apoptosis in cultured porcine epithelial cell rests of Malassez

AIM

To test whether actin stabilization by jasplakinolide induces inhibition of cell viability and apoptosis in epithelial cell rests of Malassez (ERM).

METHODOLOGY

ERM derived from porcine were spread in a 96-well dish (5 × 10(4) /well) using Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. The actin-specific stabilization reagent, jasplakinolide, was incorporated into the culture medium and incubated for 24 h. To evaluate cell viability, the WST-1 assay was carried out and absorption (450 nm) was measured. To detect apoptotic cells, monoclonal antibody to single-strand DNA (ssDNA) was used and absorption (405 nm) was measured. Actin stabilization and apoptosis induced by jasplakinolide were morphologically investigated by staining with Alexa Fluor 568 phalloidin and observed under a fluorescent microscope. As a negative control, DMSO was used instead of jasplakinolide. Differences between the jasplakinolide-treated group and the control group were analysed statistically using the Student's t-test.

RESULTS

Cell viability decreased in a concentration-dependent manner, and cell viability in the jasplakinolide-treated ERM was lower than that in nontreated ERM (n = 16, P < 0.01). Apoptotic cells in the jasplakinolide-treated ERM were more frequently detected compared to that in nontreated ERM (n = 16, P < 0.01). Morphologically, shrinkage, irregular forms and fragmentation of nuclei suggesting apoptotic bodies were observed in jasplakinolide-treated ERM, whilst actin filaments were extended in non-treated ERM.

CONCLUSION

Actin stabilization by jasplakinolide inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in epithelial cell rests of Malassez.

Effects of blood pressure on renal and cardiovascular outcomes in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes and overt nephropathy: a post hoc analysis (ORIENT-blood pressure)

BACKGROUND

Blood pressure (BP) control may have different effects on cardiovascular (CV) and renal outcomes in diabetes. We examined the impact of systolic BP (SBP) on renal and CV outcomes in a post hoc analysis in the Olmesartan Reducing Incidence of Endstage Renal Disease in Diabetic Nephropathy Trial.

METHODS

We stratified mean follow-up SBP into three categories (≤130, 131-140 and >140 mmHg) and used a Cox regression model to estimate the hazard ratio (HR, 95% confidence interval) for the outcomes. The composite renal outcome was doubling of serum creatinine, end-stage renal disease and all-cause death. The composite CV outcome included CV death, nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure, revascularization and lower extremity amputation. We also compared the slope of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in all three groups.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up period of 3.2 years, the follow-up SBP was linearly associated with risk of renal outcomes in all 566 patients. In patients with heavy proteinuria (≥1 g/gCr), a follow-up SBP > 130 mmHg was associated with an HR of 2.33 (1.62-3.36) for renal outcomes with referent to SBP ≤ 130 mmHg. In patients without history of CV disease, a follow-up SBP > 140 mmHg was associated with an HR of 2.04 (1.23-3.40) for CV outcomes with referent to SBP < 140 mmHg. The median (interquartile range) slopes of eGFR were -3.27 (-6.90, -1.63), -4.53 (-8.08, -2.29) and -7.13 (-10.90, -3.99) dL/mg/year in patients with SBP ≤ 130, 131-140 and > 140 mmHg, respectively (P = 0.008 between ≤130 and 131-140, P < 0.001 between ≤ 130 and > 140 mmHg).

CONCLUSION

In Asian type 2 diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease and heavy proteinuria, reduction of SBP ≤ 130 mmHg was associated with greater renoprotection than cardioprotection. However, our results emphasize the need to individualize BP targets in type 2 diabetes.

Direct visualization of spatiotemporal structure of self-assembled colloidal particles in electrohydrodynamic flow of a nematic liquid crystal

Characterization of spatiotemporal dynamics is of vital importance to soft matter systems far from equilibrium. Using a confocal laser scanning microscopy, we directly reveal three-dimensional motion of surface-modified particles in the electrohydrodynamic convection of a nematic liquid crystal. Particularly, visualizing a caterpillar-like motion of a self-assembled colloidal chain demonstrates the mechanism of the persistent transport enabled by the elastic, electric, and hydrodynamic contributions. We also precisely show how the particles' trajectory is spatially modified by simply changing the surface boundary condition.

Home blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes in patients during antihypertensive therapy: primary results of HONEST, a large-scale prospective, real-world observational study

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between on-treatment morning home blood pressure (HBP) and incidence of cardiovascular events using data from the Home Blood Pressure Measurement With Olmesartan Naive Patients to Establish Standard Target Blood Pressure (HONEST) study, a prospective observational study of 21 591 outpatients with essential hypertension (mean age, 64.9 years; women, 50.6%) enrolled between 2009 and 2010 at clinics and hospitals in Japan. They received olmesartan-based treatment throughout. The primary end point was major cardiovascular events. After a mean follow-up period of 2.02 years, cardiovascular events occurred in 280 patients (incidence, 6.46/1000 patient-years). The risk for the primary end point was significantly higher in patients with on-treatment morning HBP ≥145 to <155 mm Hg (hazard ratio [HR], 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-2.99) and ≥155 mm Hg (HR, 5.03; 95% CI, 3.05-8.31) than <125 mm Hg and with on-treatment clinic blood pressure ≥150 to <160 mm Hg (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.10-2.60) and ≥160 mm Hg (HR, 4.38; 95% CI, 2.84-6.75) than <130 mm Hg. Morning HBP associated with minimum risk was 124 mm Hg by spline regression analysis. Cardiovascular risk was increased in patients with morning HBP ≥145 mm Hg and clinic blood pressure <130 mm Hg (HR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.20-5.08) compared with morning HBP <125 mm Hg and clinic blood pressure <130 mm Hg. In conclusion, it is essential to control morning HBP to <145 mm Hg, even in patients with controlled clinic blood pressure.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL

http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm. UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, trial No. UMIN000002567.

Effects of olmesartan-based treatment on masked, white-coat, poorly controlled, and well-controlled hypertension: HONEST study

The authors examined the effects of olmesartan‐based treatment on clinic systolic blood pressure (CSBP) and morning home systolic blood pressure (HSBP) in 21,340 patients with masked hypertension (MH), white‐coat hypertension (WCH), poorly controlled hypertension (PCH), and well‐controlled hypertension (CH) using data from the Home Blood Pressure Measurement With Olmesartan Naive Patients to Establish Standard Target Blood Pressure (HONEST) study. MH, WCH, PCH, and CH were defined using CSBP 140 mm Hg and MHSBP 135 mm Hg as cutoff values at baseline. At 16 weeks, the MH, WCH, PCH, and CH groups had changes in CSBP by −1.0, −15.2, −23.1, and 1.8 mm Hg, and changes in morning HSBP by −12.5, 1.0, −20.3, and 2.0 mm Hg, respectively. In conclusion, in “real‐world” clinical practice, olmesartan‐based treatment decreased high morning HBP or CBP without excessive decreases in normal morning HBP or CBP according to patients' BP status.

A new proportion measure of the treatment effect captured by candidate surrogate endpoints

The use of surrogate endpoints is expected to play an important role in the development of new drugs, as they can be used to reduce the sample size and/or duration of randomized clinical trials. Biostatistical researchers and practitioners have proposed various surrogacy measures; however, (i) most of these surrogacy measures often fall outside the range [0,1] without any assumptions, (ii) these surrogacy measures do not provide a cut-off value for judging a surrogacy level of candidate surrogate endpoints, and (iii) most surrogacy measures are highly variable; thus, the confidence intervals are often unacceptably wide. In order to solve problems (i) and (ii), we propose a new surrogacy measure, a proportion of the treatment effect captured by candidate surrogate endpoints (PCS), on the basis of the decomposition of the treatment effect into parts captured and non-captured by the candidate surrogate endpoints. In order to solve problem (iii), we propose an estimation method based on the half-range mode method with the bootstrap distribution of the estimated surrogacy measures. Finally, through numerical experiments and two empirical examples, we show that the PCS with the proposed estimation method overcomes these difficulties. The results of this paper contribute to the reliable evaluation of how much of the treatment effect is captured by candidate surrogate endpoints.

Effects of dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system on renal and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes with overt nephropathy and hypertension in the ORIENT: a post-hoc analysis (ORIENT-Hypertension)

Combination therapy with angiotensin II receptor blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) requires further evaluation in patients with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension. In a post hoc analysis of the Olmesartan Reducing Incidence of Endstage renal disease in diabetic Nephropathy Trial with hypertension, we examined the effects of olmesartan on renal and cardiovascular outcomes in the presence or absence of an ACEI. Among 563 patients randomized to receive either olmesartan (n = 280) or placebo (n = 283), 73.5% (n = 414) received a concomitant ACEI. Compared with placebo, olmesartan significantly reduced proteinuria in both the ACEI-treated and non-ACEI-treated groups. The respective changes in the urinary protein creatinine ratio in the olmesartan-treated and placebo-treated groups were -32.6% and +21.1% without an ACEI (P = 0.001) and -17.0% and +2.2% with an ACEI (P = 0.028). In the olmesartan group, 115 patients developed primary renal outcomes (41.1%) compared with 129 (45.6%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio (HR): 0.97, P = 0.787). The respective HRs in the ACEI-treated and non-ACEI-treated groups were 1.02 (P = 0.891) and 0.84 (P = 0.450). 40 olmesartan-treated patients (14.3%) and 53 placebo-treated patients (18.7%) developed secondary cardiovascular outcomes (HR: 0.65, P = 0.042). The respective HRs in the ACEI-treated and non-ACEI-treated groups were 0.69 (P = 0.129) and 0.51 (P = 0.129). Olmesartan was well tolerated. Dual blockade treatment caused more hyperkalemia than monotherapy. In patients with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension, olmesartan significantly reduced proteinuria, independent of ACEI treatment and cardiovascular outcome but failed to show additional renal benefit compared with ACEI treatment alone. The cardiovascular benefit of dual treatment requires further evaluation.

Cell type-dependent effects of corticosteroid on periostin production by primary human tissue cells

Overproduction of periostin, an IL-13-inducible matricellular protein, despite corticosteroid treatment is thought to be involved in the chronicity of allergic inflammation seen in corticosteroid-refractory tissue fibrosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that some tissue cells must produce periostin in a corticosteroid-insensitive manner. Here, we show that IL-4 and IL-13 each induced comparable levels of periostin production by primary normal human fibroblasts and microvascular endothelial cells derived from lung and skin. Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, completely inhibited IL-4/13-induced, but did not affect TGF-β-induced, periostin production by fibroblasts. In contrast, dexamethasone synergistically enhanced IL-4/13-induced periostin production by microvascular endothelial cells. TGF-β did not induce periostin production by microvascular endothelial cells. Our novel findings suggest that IL-4/13-induced microvascular endothelium-derived and/or TGF-β-induced fibroblast-derived periostin might play a pivotal role in corticosteroid-refractory tissue fibrosis, leading to chronic allergic inflammation in the lung and/or skin.

Reduction and residual proteinuria are therapeutic targets in type 2 diabetes with overt nephropathy: a post hoc analysis (ORIENT-proteinuria)

BACKGROUND

Proteinuria is a major predictor for progression of renal disease, including diabetic nephropathy. In a post hoc analysis of the ORIENT, a double-blinded randomized trial of 566 type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy, we examined the risk association of composite renal outcome [end-stage renal disease, ESRD, doubling of serum creatinine (SCr) and death] with baseline, change and residual urinary protein/creatinine ratio (UPCR).

METHODS

We estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of composite renal outcome with baseline UPCR (low <1.0 g/gCr; moderate ≥ 1.0 g/gCr, <3.0 g/gCr and high ≥ 3.0 g/gCr) as well as percentage reduction of UPCR (Δ) (worsening: <0%; moderate: ≥ 0%, <30% and high ≥ 30%) and residual UPCR at 24 weeks (remission <1.0 g/gCr; moderate ≥ 1.0 g/gCr, <3.0 g/gCr and heavy ≥ 3.0 g/gCr).

RESULTS

Compared with the low group with baseline UPCR < 1.0 g/gCr, the respective HRs with 95% CI in the moderate and high UPCR groups were 3.02 (1.76-5.19) and 9.24 (5.43-15.73). Compared with patients with a worsening UPCR (<0%) at 24 weeks, the HR was 0.54 (0.39-0.74) in those with ≥ 0%, <30% ΔUPCR and 0.43 (0.31-0.61) in those with ≥ 30% ΔUPCR. Compared with the remission at 24 weeks, the HR was 2.12 (1.28-3.49) in moderate residual proteinuria and 4.59 (2.74-7.69) in heavy residual proteinuria. Compared with patients with residual UPCR ≥ 1.0 g/gCr and ΔUPCR <30%, the HR in those with ΔUPCR ≥ 30% and residual UPCR<1.0 g/gCr was 0.38 (0.22-0.64).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with type 2 diabetes and overt nephropathy, over 30% reduction of UPCR compared with baseline and/or residual UPCR<1.0 g/gCr at 24 weeks predicted renoprotection. These values may be used as targets to guide anti-proteinuric and renoprotective therapy in diabetic nephropathy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00141453.

Enhanced blood pressure-lowering effect of olmesartan in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease-associated sympathetic hyperactivity: HONEST study

To investigate the blood pressure (BP)–lowering effect of olmesartan in relation to chronic kidney disease (CKD)–associated sympathetic nerve activity, a subanalysis was performed using data from the first 16 weeks of the Home BP Measurement With Olmesartan‐Naive Patients to Establish Standard Target Blood Pressure (HONEST) study, a prospective observational study of hypertensive patients. Essential hypertensive patients who took no antihypertensive agent at baseline were classified based on baseline morning home systolic BP (MHSBP) in quartiles. In each class, patients were further classified based on baseline morning home pulse rate (MHPR). A subgroup analysis in patients with/without chronic kidney disease (CKD) was performed. A total of 5458 patients (mean age, 63.0 years; 51.6% women) were included. In the 4th quartile of baseline MHSBP (≥165 mm Hg), patients with MHPR ≥70 beats per minute had a greater BP reduction (by 3.2 mm Hg) than those with MHPR <70 beats per minute after 16 weeks of olmesartan‐based treatment (P=.0005). An even greater BP reduction (by 6.6 mm Hg) was observed in patients with CKD than in patients without CKD in this group (P=.0084). Olmesartan was more effective in hypertensive patients with high MHSBP and MHPR ≥70 beats per minute, especially in patients with CKD. Olmesartan may have enhanced BP‐lowering effects by improving renal ischemia in hypertensive CKD patients with potential increased sympathetic nerve activity.

Clinical status and outcome of Japanese heart failure patients with reduced or preserved ejection fraction treated with carvedilol

The effect of beta-blockers in treating Japanese heart failure (HF) patients with preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) is unclear. This prospective observational study enrolled 1,682 Japanese HF patients who received carvedilol for the first time. Patients were followed for a mean of 1.6 years. The 1,492 patients with baseline LVEF measurements were allocated to the following groups: reduced EF (LVEF < 40%; n = 724), borderline EF (LVEF 4050%; n = 355), and preserved EF (LVEF ≥ 50%; n = 413). Baseline characteristics, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, change in B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level, and long-term outcome were compared among the groups. Patients with preserved EF were more likely to be older, female, and have ischemic etiology and hypertension than patients with reduced EF. Carvedilol maintenance dosage was lower in patients with preserved EF (7.9 mg/day versus 6.6 mg/ day). NYHA class and BNP level were lower in patients with preserved EF at baseline but improved to the same level in all groups at 6 months. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, the hazard ratio for death or hospitalization due to cardiovascular disease in patients with preserved EF versus those with reduced EF was 1.031 (P = 0.847). This study elucidated the characteristics of HF patients given carvedilol in "real world" clinical settings. A comparative controlled study is necessary to elucidate whether the improvements in NYHA and BNP as well as the outcome profile observed in patients with preserved EF were caused by the favorable effects of carvedilol.