Growth hormone therapy in heart failure: where are we now?
Despite improvement in survival with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta blockers, clinical events for patients with heart failure remain elevated. New therapies for heart failure are needed to improve functional capacity, quality of life, and prognosis. Growth hormone exerts direct and indirect effects on cardiac structure and function. Experimental models of heart failure and small studies have demonstrated significant improvements in cardiac function, hemodynamic parameters, functional capacity, and quality of life. Despite the lack of benefit demonstrated in small, short-term, randomized clinical trials, further studies are needed to assess the potential role of this adjuvant therapy in heart failure patients.
Demers
Catherine
C
Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS), HHS-General Division, Hamilton, Ontario, L8L 2X2 Canada.
McKelvie
Robert S
RS
D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D011788:Quality of Life; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects
D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone