Metformin treatment in diabetes and heart failure: when academic equipoise meets clinical reality
2009

Metformin Treatment in Diabetes and Heart Failure

Sample size: 58 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Eurich Dean T, Tsuyuki Ross T, Majumdar Sumit R, McAlister Finlay A, Lewanczuk Richard, Shibata Marcelo C, Johnson Jeffrey A

Primary Institution: University of Alberta

Hypothesis

Is metformin a safe and effective treatment for patients with diabetes and heart failure?

Conclusion

The pilot study was abandoned due to the inability to enroll eligible patients, indicating a lack of clinical uncertainty regarding metformin's use in heart failure.

Supporting Evidence

  • Over 50% of patients with diabetes and heart failure were receiving metformin.
  • The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a larger trial but was abandoned due to lack of eligible patients.
  • Metformin is commonly prescribed despite its contraindication in heart failure patients.

Takeaway

The study tried to see if metformin could help people with diabetes and heart failure, but they couldn't find enough patients to participate.

Methodology

A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of a larger trial.

Limitations

The study was abandoned due to futility in patient enrollment.

Participant Demographics

The mean age of screened patients was 77 years, with 57% being male.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1745-6215-10-12

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