, Lechat CIBIS II Bisoprolol (n=1327) Placebo (n=1320) Ambulatory aged 18 80 years LVEF, measured within 6 weeks of randomisation, of 35% or less NYHA class III and IV diagnosis of chronic heart failure, made at least 3 months previously , with clinical stability during the preceding 6 weeks for heart failure or 3 months for acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina. Cardiovascular therapy had to have been unchanged in the 2 weeks before randomisation treatment with ACEI (if tolerated); use of digoxin was optional uncontrolled hypertension, myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris in the previous 3 months, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft in the previous 6 months previous or scheduled heart transplant, atrioventricular block greater than first degree without a chronically implanted pacemaker, resting heart rate of less than 60 bpm, systolic blood pressure at rest of less than 100 mm Hg, renal failure (serum creatinine 300 mol/L), reversible obstructive lung disease pre-exisintg or planned therapy with - adrenoreceptor blockers Dargie CAPRICORN Carvedilol (n = 975) placebo (n=984) centres People aged 18 years or older stable, definite myocardial infarction occurring 3 21 days before randomization LVEF 40% by two- dimensional echocardiography or by radionuclide or contrast ventriculography, or wall- motion-score index of 1.3 or less; receipt of concurrent treatment with ACEI for at least 48 hours and stable dose for more than 24 h unless there was intolerance of ACEI people with heart failure appropriately treated with diuretics and ACEI during the acute phase, Unstable angina, hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg), uncontrolled hypertension, bradycardia (heart rate <60 bpm), and unstable insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus People with a continuing need for -blockers for any indication other than heart failure were excluded, as were those requiring ongoing therapy with inhaled 2- agonists or steroids. 