Growth hormone deficiency in patients with chronic heart failure and beneficial effects of its correction

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Antonio Cittadini1, Lavinia Saldamarco, Alberto Maria Marra

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Sciences, University Federico II, Via Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. antonio.cittadini@unina.it

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|July 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is common in chronic heart failure (CHF). GH replacement therapy significantly improves exercise capacity, cardiac function, and quality of life in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Reduced activity of the Growth Hormone/Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (GH/IGF-I) axis is linked to poor outcomes in chronic heart failure (CHF).
  • The prevalence and impact of GH deficiency in CHF patients require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of GH deficiency in patients with CHF.
  • To evaluate the cardiovascular effects of GH replacement therapy in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, single-blind, controlled trial involving 158 patients with CHF (New York Heart Association class II-IV).
  • GH stimulation tests were performed, and 56 patients diagnosed with GH deficiency were enrolled.
  • The treatment group (n=28) received GH replacement therapy (0.012 mg/kg every second day).

Main Results:

  • GH replacement therapy improved quality of life scores and peak oxygen uptake.
  • Significant improvements were observed in exercise duration, flow-mediated vasodilation, and left ventricular ejection fraction.
  • Circulating N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels were reduced with GH therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Approximately 40% of patients with CHF exhibit GH deficiency.
  • GH replacement therapy offers significant benefits for exercise capacity, vascular function, cardiac performance, and quality of life in CHF patients with GH deficiency.
Abstract

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