Key result
L-arginine increases reactive hyperemia ~38% but fails to improve exercise capacity in heart failure.
Why the study?
The effect of acute L-arginine supplementation on lower limb vasodilator reserve and exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure was unclear.
Does intravenous L-arginine improve lower limb vasodilator reserve and exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure?
Population
19 patients with chronic heart failure
Comparison
Intravenous L-arginine infusion vs placebo
Design
Randomized controlled trial
Follow-up
Acute postinfusion
Authors
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Acute L-arginine augments hyperemia without improving exercise capacity in CHF; leaves open whether chronic NO precursor therapy affects functional outcomes.
RCT (n=19)
Does intravenous L-arginine improve lower limb vasodilator reserve and exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure?
Absolute Event Rate: 28.9% vs 20.9%
p-value: p=< 0.01
Acute intravenous L-arginine supplementation improves lower limb reactive hyperemia but does not translate to improved exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure.
Kanaya et al. (1999) conducted an RCT in chronic heart failure (n=19). L-arginine vs. placebo was evaluated on occlusion induced calf blood flow response (peak flow in ml/min/dl calf tissue) (p=< 0.01). Acute supplementation with L-arginine increased lower limb reactive hyperaemia (peak flow 28.9 vs 20.9 ml/min/dl) but did not significantly improve exercise capacity in chronic heart failure.
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