Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included.
Specific interventions included in the review
Treatment with phosphodiesterase inhibitors (amrinone, milrinone, enoximone, indolidan, vesnarinone, pimobendan).
Participants included in the review
Patients with overt chronic heart failure (NYHA class II to IV).
Outcomes assessed in the review
Mortality was assessed.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the authors performed the selection. Reasons for the exclusion of 4 studies are given.