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Growth hormone therapy in heart failure
O Strohm1, M G Friedrich1, R V Harsdorf1
1Charité, Franz-Volhard-Klinik am Max-Delbrück-Centrum, Wiltbergstr. 50, D-13125 Berlin, Germany, e-mail: strohm@fvk-berlin.de, Germany.
Zeitschrift Fur Kardiologie
|June 21, 2016
Summary
Growth factors like human growth hormone may improve heart function in severe heart failure by increasing heart muscle mass and reducing stress. This therapy could be an alternative to heart transplantation for high-risk patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Severe heart failure, including dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease, presents significant challenges.
- Growth factors, such as human growth hormone (hGH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), have shown potential in preclinical and preliminary clinical studies.
- These factors may exert beneficial cardiac effects, including increased myocardial mass and reduced systolic wall stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of human growth factors in patients with end-stage heart failure.
- To assess the impact of growth factor therapy on myocardial mass and left ventricular wall stress.
Main Methods:
- Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies were conducted.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was utilized to assess cardiac parameters.
- Patient populations included those with dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease.
Main Results:
- Growth factor therapy led to a significant increase in myocardial mass.
- A significant reduction in left ventricular wall stress was observed, confirmed by MRI.
- Preliminary studies in dilated cardiomyopathy patients showed promising results.
Conclusions:
- Human growth factors demonstrate a potential therapeutic role in managing end-stage heart failure.
- This approach may serve as a viable alternative or bridge therapy to cardiac transplantation.
- Further randomized trials are warranted to confirm effects on mortality and morbidity in larger patient cohorts.
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