THE EFFECT OF L-CARNITINE ON LEFT VENTRICULAR FUNCTIONS IN CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS: THE RESULTS OF SIX MONTHS TREATMENT

L-carnitine (L-C) deficiency seen in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients may contribute to heart failure and arrhythmias, through damaging the myocardial energy metabolism. In this study, the effect of L-C treatment on left ventricular (LV) functions was investigated in chronic HD patients Seventeen chronic HD patients (8 male, 9 female, mean age 41.3 years, range 21-73 years) were studied. Each patient was given L-C 2g a day peroral for 6 months. LV systolic and diastolic functions at the beginning and at the end of the treatment were assessed using M-mode and 2 D Doppler echocardiography. Diastolic function parameters were improved significantly while LV systolic functions did not change at the end of the six months of L-C treatment. No side effect was observed during treatment. Our results suggest that six months L-C treatment did not cause any change in LV systolic functions, on the other hand, diastolic functions improved significantly. Further placebo controlled, long-term clinical studies are needed to assess if there is any LC effect on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.