Growth hormone for heart failure - cause for cautious optimism

Article Abstract:

The use of growth hormone to treat the heart failure associated with dilated cardiomyopathy is promising, but questions remain. Dilated cardiomyopathy refers to the enlargement of the heart's left ventricle without appropriate thickening of the heart wall. Growth hormone therapy in seven patients with dilated cardiomyopathy was shown to increase their heart muscle mass, improve their hearts' pumping ability and efficiency, and increase their exercise capacity. The trial was neither randomized nor blinded, however, suggesting that the results need to be confirmed with a more stringently controlled trial before widespread use of the therapy takes place. In addition, the growth hormone was only administered for three months, which may not be enough time to evaluate the side effects of the treatment. Continuing speculation about the molecular effects of growth hormone on heart muscle indicates a need for further experiments.

Somatotropin, Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, Congestive cardiomyopathy

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Digoxin in heart failure

Article Abstract:

The beneficial effects of digoxin in the treatment of certain types of heart failure are well known. Digitalis glycosides, such as digoxin, have been used to treat heart failure for almost 200 years. Although a few studies challenged the beneficial effects of digoxin in 1970s and 1980s, recent analyses have found that its use significantly aids treatment. As new techniques for treating heart failure develop, new questions arise about the efficacy of combinations of therapies. One question is whether digoxin is effective, or necessary, for patients who are receiving diuretics in conjunction with angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Some studies seem to indicate that it is useful but these results must be interpreted cautiously because of the narrowly defined sample populations. A multi-center study underway in the 1990s should provide more insight into the effects of digoxin on the survival rates of patients.

Hemodynamics, Digoxin

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A trial of the beta blocker bucindolol in patients with advanced chronic heart failure

Article Abstract:

The beta blocker bucindolol appears to have no benefit in treating heart failure, according to a study of 2,708 ethnically diverse patients. Many studies of beta blockers have focused on white European populations.

Evaluation, Adrenergic beta blockers, Adrenergic beta-antagonists

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