Effect of L-carnitine on the Heart Function of Elder Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Objective:To evaluate the effects of L-carnitine on the heart function in elder patients with chronic heart failure.Methods:Seventy elder patients with chronic heart failure were divided into conventional therapy group(control group,35 patients) and L-carnitine therapy group(therapy group,35 patients).The control group was given basic treatment with digoxin,diuretics,angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor(ACEI) or angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker(ARB),and β-blocker;the therapy group were given L-carnitine 4g/d added in 5% glucose 100ml for 14 days in addition to the basic treatment.Heart function in chronic heart failure of elder patients was observed before and after treatment.Results:After treatment,left ventricular end systolic dimension(LVESD) and left ventricular and systolic volume(LVESV) of patients decreased significantly and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) of patients increased significantly in the therapy group.Compared with control group,excellence rate and total effective rate increased significantly,left ventricular end diastolic dimension(LVEDD),LVESD and LVESV decreased and LVEF increased in therapy group.Conclusion:L-carnitine can be used as adjuvant therapy to improve the heart function especially systolic function in patients with chronic heart failure.