Summary of ‘Hot Line’ sessions presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2008: August 30, 2008 to September 3, 2008, Munich, Germany

Abstract

The European Society of Cardiology Congress, the largest medical meeting in Europe, was held August 30, 2008, to September 3, 2008, in Munich, Germany. Among the conference's main sessions, workshops and symposia, several ‘Hot Line’ sessions presented new scientific data and study results. The following are a summary of these Hot Line sessions. Brunner-La Rocca and colleagues presented results from TIME-CHF [Trial of Intensified (BNP-guided) versus standard (symptom-guided) Medical therapy in Elderly patients with Congestive Heart Failure], which aimed to compare intensified BNP-guided therapy to standard symptom-guided therapy on 18-month outcome. They also assessed whether or not there was a difference in response to such therapy in patients ≥75 years old (n=289) compared to those b75 years of age (n=210). It was found that intensified, BNP-guided therapy did not improve the primary endpoint of all-cause hospitalization free survival overall; however, it did improve the more disease-specific endpoint of heart failure hospitalization free survival. Response to therapy differed significantly between age groups with those b75 years of age showing reduced mortality and improved hospitalization survival while those ≥75 years old showing no benefit on outcome and less improvement in quality of life. The BEAUTIFUL (morBidity–mortality EvAlUaTion of the IF inhibitor ivabradine in patients with CAD and left