Six-months of recombinant human GH therapy in patients with ischemic cardiac failure

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Growth hormone (GH) therapy has shown variable effects on systolic function in cardiac failure patients.
• Diastolic function in these patients remains understudied.
• Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels may influence treatment response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of 6-month recombinant human growth hormone (rh GH) treatment on systolic and diastolic function.
• To assess changes in cardiac structure and clinical status in patients with ischemic cardiac failure.

Main Methods:

• A randomized trial involving 19 patients with ischemic cardiac failure (LVEF <40%).
• Nine patients received rh GH (2 IU/day) for 6 months.
• Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to assess systolic and diastolic function, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and volumes at baseline and 26 weeks.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in systolic or diastolic function were observed between the rh GH treated group and controls.
• No changes were noted in LVMI, end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, or ejection fraction.
• Treated patients did not exhibit any clinical improvement.

Conclusions:

• Six months of rh GH therapy demonstrated no favorable effects on left ventricular mass index, systolic function, or diastolic function in patients with ischemic cardiac failure.
• Current evidence does not support the use of rh GH for improving cardiac function in this patient population.