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Hormone replacement therapy in heart failure

Michele Arcopinto1, Andrea Salzano, Jorgen Isgaard

  • 1aDepartment of Cardiac Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato Milanese, Milan bDepartment of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University cInterdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Materials (CRIB), University of Naples, Naples, Italy dDepartment of Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Göthenborg, Göthenborg, Sweden *Jorgen Isgaard and Antonio Cittadini contributed equally to the writing of this article.

Current Opinion in Cardiology
|March 26, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may offer a novel approach to treating chronic heart failure (CHF) by addressing anabolic deficiencies. This could improve cardiac function and patient quality of life, warranting further research.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Chronic heart failure (CHF) survival rates have stagnated despite medical advances, necessitating exploration of new therapeutic targets.
  • CHF is characterized by neurohormonal activation and a significant reduction in anabolic drive, impacting function and prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the potential of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in treating anabolic deficiencies associated with CHF.
  • To explore HRT as a novel therapeutic strategy for CHF patients with coexisting hormone deficiencies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature on CHF pathophysiology and HRT.
  • Analysis of evidence supporting the role of anabolic drive in CHF.
  • Hypothesis formulation for HRT application in a subset of CHF patients.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests CHF involves reduced anabolic drive, which has functional and prognostic implications.
  • Preliminary findings indicate potential benefits of HRT in CHF patients, possibly slowing disease progression.
  • HRT may be beneficial for CHF patients with coexisting hormone deficiencies.

Conclusions:

  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a theoretical treatment option for chronic heart failure (CHF).
  • HRT may enhance left ventricular structure, function, physical capacity, and quality of life in CHF patients.
  • Larger randomized controlled trials are required to validate the efficacy of HRT in CHF.
Abstract

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