The Beta Blocker Heart Attack Trial: recruitment experience.

The Beta Blocker Heart Attack Trial (BHAT) recruited 3837 patients who within the previous 5-21-day period had experienced a myocardial infarction. The purpose of the trial was to test the efficacy of propranolol in decreasing total mortality after such an event. Recruitment was carried out over a 28-month period and involved 31 clinics, 134 hospitals, and 136 acute coronary care units. Of the 157,771 patients admitted to these units, 16,358 met the BHAT criteria for a myocardial infarction, and 23% of those eligible were ultimately randomized. The use of a coronary care unit log was helpful for tracking patients to maximize recruitment and to provide information in regard to the universe from which patients were recruited.