CHARM Trial

Summary: Evaluated candesartan with and without an ACE inhibitor vs. placebo in patients with symptomatic heart failure. Candesartan reduced the primary endpoint of all-cause mortality. There was a reduction of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalizations.

There were three subtrials:

CHARM-Added: Candesartan in addition to an ACE inhibitor reduced composite endpoint of combined cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization.

CHARM-Alternative: Candesartan in place of an ACE inhibitor reduced composite endpoint of combined cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization.

CHARM-Preserved: Candesartan showed no benefit in patients with left ventricular ejection fractions > 40%.

Original Publication:

McMurray JJ, et al. Lancet. 2003;362:767-771.

Granger CB, et al. Lancet. 2003;362:772-776.

Yusuf F, et al. Lancet. 2003;362:777-781.

Young JB, et al. Circulation. 2004;110:2618-2626.

McMurray JJ, et al. Am Heart J. 2006;151:985-991.

Eponym: Candesartan in Heart failure - Assessment of moRtality and Morbidity

Note: The “CHARMED-Added Trial” refers to adding candesartan to an ACE inhibitor, while the “CHARMED-Alternative Trial” refers to using candesartan in place of an ACE inhibitor. The “CHARMED-Preserved Trial” refers to using candesartan in heart failure patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function.