FRIDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- L-carnitine significantly improves patient outcomes following heart attack, according to a review published online April 17 in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
James J. DiNicolantonio, Pharm.D., from Wegmans Pharmacy in Ithaca, N.Y., and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of 13 controlled trials (3,629 participants) that evaluated the effects of L-carnitine versus placebo or control on mortality, ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), angina, heart failure, and reinfarction.
The researchers found that, compared to placebo or control, L-carnitine was associated with a significant 27 percent reduction in all-cause mortality (odds ratio, 0.73; risk ratio [RR], 0.78; P = 0.05), a highly significant 65 percent reduction in VAs (RR, 0.35), and a significant 40 percent reduction in the development of angina (RR, 0.60). There was no reduction in the development of heart failure (RR, 0.85; P = 0.21) or myocardial reinfarction (RR, 0.78; P = 0.45).
"Further study with large randomized controlled trials of this inexpensive and safe therapy in the modern era is warranted," the authors write.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
