Effect of intravenous L-carnitine in Chinese patients with chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure (CHF) may be associated with an energy deficit in cardiac muscle. As levo-carnitine (LC) is involved in the production of myocardial energy, it is hypothesized that LC supplementation may ameliorate CHF symptoms. This multicentre, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study included 265 patients with CHF. Patients were randomized to receive either LC or placebo, twice a day. Endpoints were measured after 7 days of treatment. Primary endpoint was a reduction of at least one NYHA class. Secondary endpoints were changes in 6-min walk distance (6-MWD) compared with baseline, either alone or in combination with NYHA class decrease, left ventricular ejection fraction, and NT-proBNP level, together with adverse events. The primary endpoint was reached in 60.9% of patients treated with LC, compared with only 44.7% of the placebo group (P = 0.012). Among the secondary endpoints, 6-MWD, alone or in combination with NYHA class, improved significantly in the LC group compared with placebo (P = 0.0497 and P = 0.003, respectively). l-Carnitine was well tolerated. The lowest baseline values of plasma-free carnitine were observed in patients with NYHA classes III and IV where the effect of LC supplementation was greatest (P = 0.002). Treatment with LC significantly improved CHF symptoms in Chinese patients, probably by correcting a status of carnitine insufficiency.

Source: European Journal of Heart Failure Supplements - February 29, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Jing, Z.-C., Wu, B.-X., Peng, J.-J., Li, X.-L., Pan, L., Zhao, S.-P., Li, D.-Y., Yu, Z.-X., Gong, J.-B., Zhao, Q.-Y., Cao, J.-N., Sheng, G.-T., Li, J., Li, B. X., Jiang, S., Liang, C., Salvi, E., Carubelli, V. Tags: Articles Source Type: research