Key result
Growth hormone therapy in heart failure has shown mixed results in randomized studies, with benefit consistently seen when used every other day, warranting further investigation.
Why the study?
Does growth hormone therapy improve outcomes in patients with heart failure?
Does growth hormone therapy improve outcomes in patients with heart failure?
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Growth hormone therapy shows mixed results in heart failure trials, but regimens using every-other-day dosing may offer benefit and warrant further study.
Despite the improvements in survival with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers, the clinical events for patients with heart failure remain elevated. New therapies for heart failure are required to improve the functional capacity, quality of life and prognosis. Growth hormone exerts both direct and indirect effects on cardiac structure and function. Experimental models of heart failure and small studies have demonstrated significant improvements in cardiac function, haemodynamical parameters, functional capacity and quality of life. The results from randomised controlled studies have been mixed with others showing benefit and some that do not. The randomised studies showing benefit consistently used growth hormone every other day. Further studies are needed to assess the potential role of this adjuvant therapy in patients with heart failure.
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Demers et al. (2005) conducted a review in heart failure. Growth hormone therapy was evaluated. Growth hormone therapy in heart failure has shown mixed results in randomized studies, with benefit consistently seen when used every other day, warranting further investigation.
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