Back to results

Beta-Blocker Heart Attack Trial (BHAT)

Primary Purpose

Arrhythmia, Cardiovascular Diseases, Coronary Disease

Status

Completed

Phase

Phase 3

Locations

Study Type

Interventional

Intervention

propranolol

About this trial

This is an interventional prevention trial for Arrhythmia

Eligibility Criteria

30 Years - 69 Years (Adult, Older Adult)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Men and women, ages 30 to 69. Documented myocardial infarction.

Sites / Locations

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

Full Information

NCT ID

NCT00000492

First Posted

October 27, 1999

Last Updated

July 11, 2016

Sponsor

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number

NCT00000492

Brief Title

Beta-Blocker Heart Attack Trial (BHAT)

Study Type

Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date

October 1981

Overall Recruitment Status

Completed

Study Start Date

September 1977 (undefined)

Primary Completion Date

undefined (undefined)

Study Completion Date

October 1981 (Actual)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Name of the Sponsor

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

4. Oversight

5. Study Description

Brief Summary

To determine whether the regular administration of the beta-blocker drug propranolol to people who had had at least one documented myocardial infarction would result in a significant reduction of mortality from all causes over the follow-up period. Eligible volunteer patients were recruited to participate in a double-blind clinical trial within 21 days after the onset of the acute event. One-half of the patients were randomly assigned to a beta-blocking drug (propranolol) and one-half to a placebo. The trial also evaluated the effect of propranolol on incidences of coronary heart disease mortality, sudden cardiac death, and nonfatal myocardial infarction plus coronary heart disease mortality in persons with documented previous myocardial infarction.

Detailed Description

BACKGROUND: Survivors of a documented myocardial infarction are recognized as having a high risk of dying relative to the general population. Serious arrhythmias, occurring with or without evidence of new infarction, are a common cause of death in this population. Theoretically, an agent which (1) can block the sympathetic nervous activity thought to be involved in precipitating sudden death and (2) has non-neurogenic antiarrhythmic properties would be of value to people with coronary heart disease. Propranolol, like other beta- blocking agents, has these as well as other properties and therefore might be expected to prevent or retard complications of coronary heart disease such as serious arrhythmias. This would be reflected in a decrease in mortality due to coronary heart disease. A workshop on chronic antiarrhythmic therapy reviewed contemporary experimental data and clinical practice and recommended that a clinical trial be undertaken to clearly show the effects of beta-blocking drugs on mortality. Subsequently, such a trial was approved by the Clinical Applications and Prevention Advisory Committee, by the Cardiology Advisory Committee, and by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council. The study protocol was reviewed in February 1978 and recommended for approval by the policy-data monitoring board and ad hoc members. The protocol was approved by the Director of NHLBI in March 1978. Recruitment started on June 19, 1978, and ended in October 1980. A total of 3,837 patients were randomized. Units which participated in the trial included 32 clinical centers, an EKG center, a central laboratory, a coordinating center, a 1-hour ambulatory ECG center, a 24-hour ambulatory EKG center, and an EKG tape quality control center. DESIGN NARRATIVE: A randomized, double-blind design with single experimental and control groups. Patients were recruited while in the hospital for an acute myocardial infarction and were enrolled in the study before discharge. Eligible patients fulfilled the study definition of an acute myocardial infarction. The diagnosis was based either on electrocardiographic records showing evolving QRS segment changes or on ST segment and T wave changes together with enzyme changes and appropriate clinical history. One-half of the patients were placed on therapy using a beta-blocking drug (propranolol). The other half received a placebo. The prescribed maintenance dosage of propranolol was either l80 or 240 mgs/day, depending upon serum drug levels. Intervention duration averaged 25 months. The study completion date listed in this record was obtained from the "Completed Date" entered in the Query View Report System (QVR).

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study

Arrhythmia, Cardiovascular Diseases, Coronary Disease, Death, Sudden, Cardiac, Heart Diseases, Myocardial Infarction, Myocardial Ischemia, Ventricular Fibrillation

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose

Prevention

Study Phase

Phase 3

Masking

Double

Allocation

Randomized

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Intervention Type

Drug

Intervention Name(s)

propranolol

10. Eligibility

Sex

All

Minimum Age & Unit of Time

30 Years

Maximum Age & Unit of Time

69 Years

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

Men and women, ages 30 to 69. Documented myocardial infarction.

Overall Study Officials: