Mahmoodul Hassan, Mohammad Hafizullah, Muhammad Asghar, Muhammad Fahim.
Role of L-Carnitine in congestive cardiac failure.
J Postgrad Med Inst Jan ;21(2):122-6.

Objective: To determine the effect of L- Carnitine on functional and echocardiographic parameters of patients with congestive cardiac failure (CCF). Material and Methods: This double-blinded placebo control trial was conducted on 100 cases of CCF at cardiology outdoor department from March 2006 to May 2006. Subjects were randomized into group A (n=50) receiving 1 gm L-Carnitine and group B (n=50) receiving placebo. Baseline and at three months follow-up clinical and echocardiographic data of subjects was recorded. Results: In L-Carnitine vs. placebo, 6 minutes walk was 400 ± 87 m vs. 360 ± 85 m (p = 0.04), NYHA class II and III improved (p= 0.7, p=0.3 respectively), LVED dimension showed no significant improvement (5.8 ± 0.7 cm vs. 5.7 ± 0.7 cm, p= 0.69), and FS improved (18.37 ± 3.4 vs.19.90 ± 6.7, p= 0.03). The 6 minutes walk and FS improved in ischemic vs. Congestive cardiomyopathy (412 ± 74 vs. 374 ± 108 meters, p= 0.3), (19.2 ± 50 % vs.15.9 ± 3.6 %, p=0.03). In ischemic cardiomyopathy 6 minutes walk improved (p= 0.001), LVED dimension increased (p=0.24), FS improved (p= 0.50) and NYHA class II (p=0.001), and III (p=0.02) improved. In congestive cardiomyopathy 6 minutes walk improved from baseline (p=0.13), FS showed no improvement (p=0.23), LVED dimension was not affected significantly (p= 0.65). NYHA class improved (p=0.05). Conclusion: L- carnitine is beneficial in the treatment of congestive cardiac failure. It is more effective in ischemic as compared to congestive cardiomyopathy.

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