Prepared for:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, MD 20850

www.ahrq.gov

Contract No: 290-97-0001

Prepared by:

Southern California-RAND Evidence-based Practice Center, Santa Monica, CA

Program Director

Paul Shekelle, M.D., Ph.D.

Program Co-Director

Sally Morton, Ph.D.

Investigator

Col. Sidney Atkinson, M.D.

EPC Staff

Marika Suttorp, M.S.

Wenli Tu, M.S.

Paul Heidenreich, M.D., M.S

Matthew Gubens M.P.H.

Margaret Maglione, M.P.P.

Lara Jungvig, B.A.

Elizabeth Roth, M.S.

Sydne Newberry, Ph.D.

AHRQ Publication No. 03-E045

July 2003

ISBN: 1-58763-089-3

ISSN: 1530-4396

This document is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without permission except those copyrighted materials noted for which further reproduction is prohibited without the specific permission of copyright holders.

This report may be used, in whole or in part, as the basis for development of clinical practice guidelines and other quality enhancement tools, or a basis for reimbursement and coverage policies. AHRQ or U.S. Department of Health and Human Services endorsement of such derivative products may not be stated or implied.

AHRQ is the lead Federal agency charged with supporting research designed to improve the quality of health care, reduce its cost, address patient safety and medical errors, and broaden access to essential services. AHRQ sponsors and conducts research that provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes; quality; and cost, use, and access. The information helps health care decisionmakerspatients and clinicians, health system leaders, and policymakersmake more informed decisions and improve the quality of health care services.

Suggested Citation:

Shekelle P, Rich M, Morton S, et al. Pharmacologic Management of Heart Failure and Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction: Effect in Female, Black, and Diabetic Patients, and Cost-Effectiveness. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 82 (Prepared by the Southern California-RAND Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No 290-97-0001). AHRQ Publication No. 03-E045. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. July 2003.