Beneficial effects of L-carnitine in dialysis patients with impaired left ventricular function: an observational study.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have shown that L-carnitine may improve clinical status and reduce the need for erythropoietin in dialysis patients with cardiovascular diseases. In this observational study, we investigated whether the addition of L-carnitine to conventional therapy might improve cardiac function (as assessed by M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography) and clinical status in dialysis patients with left ventricular dysfunction.


METHODS
Eleven dialysis patients with reduced left ventricular function (EF < 45%) were treated with L-carnitine for 8 months. Two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography was performed at baseline and every 2 months up to the end of the treatment period. The dosage of erythropoietin was also monitored during the study and the patients' clinical status was assessed by a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Carnitine increased mean LV ejection fraction from 32.0% to 41.8% (p < 0.05 vs baseline). There was also a slight reduction of erythropoietin dosage and an improvement of clinical status.


CONCLUSIONS
Eight months' therapy with carnitine appears to improve LV function and clinical status in dialysis patients with impaired LVF.
Romagnoli
G F
GF
Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Padua Hospital, Italy.
Naso
A
A
Carraro
G
G
Lidestri
V
V
D000368:Aged; D002331:Carnitine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects
D002331:Carnitine