Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Wednesday May 28, 2008
Role of Micro-nutrient in Cardiomyopathy

A relatively small but important study to know !

A recent report by Matthew Harinstein described 11 patients with idiopathic dialted cardiomyopathy who had evidence of myocardial "viability"
(dysfunctional but noncontractile myocardium that has the potential for improvement in function) as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, low-dose dobutamine echocardiography, or nuclear imaging.

These patients were treated with standard therapies including [beta]-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, digoxin, and potassium and non-potassium-sparing diuretics. The majority of patients received micronutrient supplementation with coenzyme Q10, vitamin B1, and amino acids, which target the pathways of cardiac metabolism and may aid in the restoration of cardiac function.

The average ejection fraction at presentation was 17% +/- 9% which improved to 59% +/- 5%. All patients improved to New York Heart Association functional class I with available therapy.

This case series demonstrates that normalization of cardiac function is possible with standard therapy and the importance of assessing myocardial viability in all patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. Given the unique metabolic needs of the failing heart, the role of micronutrients in combination with standard therapy warrants further investigation.




Reference: Click to get abstract

Harinstein M, Berliner J, Shah S, Taegtmeyer H, Gheorghiade M.
Normalization of Ejection Fraction and Resolution of Symptoms in Chronic Severe Heart Failure is Possible With Modern Medical Therapy: Clinical Observations in 11 Patients. American Journal of Therapeutics. 15(3):206-213, May/June 2008.

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