title: [The clinical and hemodynamic effects of propionyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of congestive heart failure].
abstract: In order to evaluate the clinical and hemodynamic effects of propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC) a randomized, double-blind study versus placebo was performed in 50 patients of both sexes, between 48 and 69 years of age, affected by mild-moderate congestive heart failure. All patients participating in said study were on digitalis and diuretic treatment. 25 of these belonged to the control group, while the other 25 were treated with an oral dose of 1 g b.i.d of propionyl-L-carnitine. At the end of six months of treatment maximum exercise time on the treadmill increased 11.1% after 90 days and 16.4% after 180 in the group treated with PLC. From a hemodynamic standpoint, after 30, 90 and 180 days the ejection fraction increased by 7.3%, 10.7% and 12.1%. At the same time, moreover, the systemic vascular resistances were reduced by 14.9%, 20% and 20.6%. In the patients treated with placebo, however, the above-mentioned parameters showed no significant variation. Finally, no unexpected events or toxic effects were observed in any of the patients in either group. As a consequence of these results it is possible to affirm that propionyl-L-carnitine, due to its clinical and hemodynamic effects, represents a drug of notable therapeutic interest in patients with congestive heart failure, in whom it may be usefully combined with the usual pharmacological therapy.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Cardiologia, USL n. 42, Ospedale Elena D'Aosta, Napoli.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pucciarelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mastursi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Latte
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sacra
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Setaro
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lizzadro
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nolfe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; C003223:propionylcarnitine; D002331:Carnitine
vernacular_title: Effetti clinici ed emodinamici della propionil-L-carnitina nel trattamento dello scompenso cardiaco congestizio.