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Testosterone and heart failure

Chris J Malkin1, Kevin S Channer, T Hugh Jones

  • 1Department of Cardiology Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.

Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity
|April 21, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Testosterone replacement therapy offers modest improvements in muscle strength, endurance, and metabolism for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Further research is needed to confirm long-term safety and efficacy before widespread adoption.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Research

Background:

  • Chronic heart failure (CHF) presents significant morbidity despite current treatments.
  • Maladaptive metabolic and neuro-hormonal changes are characteristic of CHF.
  • Anabolic deficiency is a key feature of the CHF syndrome.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent trials on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in CHF.
  • To assess the impact of TRT on anabolic deficiency in CHF patients.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on testosterone replacement therapy in chronic heart failure.
  • Analysis of studies reporting outcomes related to muscle strength, mass, endurance, and physiological reflexes.

Main Results:

  • Physiological testosterone replacement therapy demonstrated modest improvements in muscle strength and lean mass.
  • Enhanced endurance and positive effects on neuro-muscular and baro-receptor reflexes were observed.
  • Long-term efficacy and safety data for TRT in CHF remain unavailable.

Conclusions:

  • Testosterone replacement therapy shows potential for improving metabolism and endurance in CHF patients.
  • Widespread clinical use requires further extensive trials to establish long-term safety and efficacy.
  • Endocrine specialist consultation is recommended for physicians considering testosterone therapy for CHF patients.
Abstract

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