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Influence of creatine supplementation on the functional capacity of patients with heart failure
Ana Paula Perillo Ferreira Carvalho1, Salvador Rassi, Keila Elizabeth Fontana
1Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil. anapperillo@gmail.com
Insights
Creatine supplementation did not improve functional capacity in heart failure (HF) patients. A six-month study found no significant differences in exercise tests between creatine and placebo groups.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) is a condition marked by reduced functional capacity and exercise intolerance.
- Patients with HF often experience limitations in daily activities due to the syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of creatine supplementation on the functional capacity of heart failure patients.
- To determine if creatine improves exercise performance in individuals with moderate to severe HF.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, double-blind study involved 33 male HF patients (functional class II-IV).
- Participants received either 5g/day creatine or placebo (maltodextrin) for six months.
- Functional capacity was assessed using cardiopulmonary exercise tests and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) pre- and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in peak oxygen consumption, anaerobic threshold, or oxygen pulse between the creatine and placebo groups.
- The 6-minute walk test also showed no significant improvement in distance covered for the creatine group compared to placebo.
Conclusions:
- Creatine supplementation at 5g/day for six months did not lead to significant improvements in functional capacity for patients with heart failure.
- Further research may be needed to explore different dosages or patient populations.
Background:
Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome characterized by intolerance to exertion and reduced functional capacity.
Objective:
To assess the functional capacity of patients with HF and supplemented with creatine.
Methods:
Prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Thirty-three male patients over the age of 18 years with functional class II to IV HF were randomized into two groups as follows: the experimental group (CRE, n = 17), supplemented with 5 g/day of creatine for six months; and the placebo group (PLA, n = 16), receiving 5 g/day of maltodextrin for that same period. Both groups underwent functional capacity assessment by use of cardiopulmonary exercise test and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) before and after the intervention. The Ancova statistical model and Pearson correlation were used to assess the groups and the treatment.
Results:
Of the variables assessed on the cardiopulmonary exercise test, peak oxygen consumption (peak VO₂), anaerobic threshold (AT), and oxygen pulse (O₂ pulse) showed no significant differences between the groups (P>0.05). On the 6MWT, no significant difference was observed in the covered distance.
Conclusion:
Creatine supplementation in patients with HF did not significantly improve functional capacity.
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