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The Effects of L-Carnitine on Echocardiographic Changes in Patients With β-Thalassemia Major and Intermedia
Mohsen Shahidi1, Sayedeh Rozhin Hashemi2, Nima Fattahi3
1Department of Cardiology, Besat Hospital.
Insights
L-carnitine supplementation improved cardiac function in beta-thalassemia patients. The study found reduced left ventricular dilatation and hypertrophy, alongside increased cardiac output in those receiving L-carnitine.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hematology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Beta-thalassemia major is associated with severe cardiac complications including heart failure and fatal arrhythmias.
- Cardiac dilatation due to anemia is a significant cause of mortality in beta-thalassemia patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of L-carnitine on echocardiographic parameters in patients with beta-thalassemia major and intermedia.
- To assess the efficacy of L-carnitine in mitigating cardiac abnormalities in beta-thalassemia.
Main Methods:
- A 6-month randomized clinical trial involving 60 beta-thalassemia patients, divided into L-carnitine and placebo groups.
- Echocardiography and blood tests were used to examine cardiac parameters like left ventricular dimensions and cardiac output before and after intervention.
- Statistical analysis included SPSS V.23, chi-square, and covariance tests.
Main Results:
- L-carnitine treatment led to a significant reduction in left ventricular dilatation and hypertrophy compared to placebo (P<0.05).
- Patients receiving L-carnitine showed a significant increase in cardiac output (from 43.5 to 56.5, P=0.002).
- No significant differences in age or sex were observed between the groups.
Conclusions:
- L-carnitine demonstrates a positive effect on improving cardiac indices in beta-thalassemia patients.
- Further research with larger sample sizes and diverse diagnostic methods is recommended to explore L-carnitine's effects.
Introduction:
Heart failure, fatal arrhythmias, and cardiac dilatation because of anemia are common causes of β-thalassemia major-related deaths. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of L-carnitine on echocardiographic changes in β-thalassemia major and intermedia patients in Besat Hospital in Sanandaj, Iran.
Methods:
In a randomized clinical trial, 60 β-thalassemia patients who were eligible for L-carnitine administration were randomly divided into 2 placebo and study drug groups. The duration of the study was 6 months. Using echocardiography and blood tests, cardiac parameters including left ventricular dilatation, left ventricular hypertrophy, and a number of cardiac blood indices were examined before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using SPSS V.23 software, χ, and covariance statistical tests.
Results:
There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of age and sex. Patients treated with L-carnitine have a reduced rate of left ventricular dilatation, left ventricular hypertrophy, and systolic blood pressure compared with controls (P<0.05). Cardiac output increased from 43.5 to 56.5 (P=0.002).
Conclusions:
The results of this study showed that the drug has a positive effect on the improvement of cardiac indices in β-thalassemia patients. Therefore, we suggest that further studies with more samples and other diagnostic modalities of the drug's effect be investigated.
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