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The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure
- Meenakshi Khatta, MS, CRNP;
- Barbara S. Alexander, MD, PhD;
- Cathy M. Krichten, MS, CRNP;
- Michael L. Fisher, MD;
- Ronald Freudenberger, MD;
- Shawn W. Robinson, MD; and
- Stephen S. Gottlieb, MD
- From University of Maryland School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland.
Abstract
Background: Coenzyme Q10 is commonly used to treat congestive heart failure on the basis of data from several unblinded, subjective studies. Few randomized, blinded, controlled studies have evaluated objective measures of cardiac performance.
Objective: To determine the effect of coenzyme Q10 on peak oxygen consumption, exercise duration, and ejection fraction.
Design: Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.
Setting: University and Veterans Affairs hospitals.
Patients: 55 patients who had congestive heart failure with New York Heart Association class III and IV symptoms, ejection fraction less than 40%, and peak oxygen consumption less than 17.0 mL/kg per minute (or <50% of predicted) during standard therapy were randomly assigned. Forty-six patients completed the study.
Intervention: Coenzyme Q10, 200 mg/d, or placebo.
Measurements: Left ventricular ejection fraction (measured by radionuclide ventriculography) and peak oxygen consumption and exercise duration (measured by a graded exercise evaluation using the Naughton protocol) with continuous metabolic monitoring.
Results: Although the mean (±SD) serum concentration of coenzyme Q10 increased from 0.95 ± 0.62 µg/mL to 2.2 ± 1.2 µg/mL in patients who received active treatment, ejection fraction, peak oxygen consumption, and exercise duration remained unchanged in both the coenzyme Q10 and placebo groups.
Conclusion: Coenzyme Q10 does not affect ejection fraction, peak oxygen consumption, or exercise duration in patients with congestive heart failure receiving standard medical therapy.
Article and Author Information
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Acknowledgments: The authors thank Dr. S. Mortensen, Technical University of Denmark, for measuring serum concentrations of coenzyme Q10 and Dr. W. Herzog and Matthew Metcalf for their help in performing this study.
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Grant Support: Supported in part by grant P60AG12583 from the National Institute of Aging, Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Bethesda, Maryland. Coenzyme Q10 and matching placebo were provided by PharmaNord, Sadlmadervej, Denmark.
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Requests for Single Reprints: Stephen S. Gottlieb, MD, Division of Cardiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.
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Requests To Purchase Bulk Reprints (minimum, 100 copies): the Reprints Coordinator; phone, 215-351-2657; e-mail, reprints{at}mail.acponline.org.
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Current Author Addresses: Ms. Khatta, Drs. Alexander, Fisher, Freudenberger, Robinson, and Gottlieb, and Ms. Krichten: Division of Cardiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.
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Author Contributions: Conception and design: M. Khatta, B. Alexander, C.M. Krichten, M. Fisher, R. Freudenberger, S.W. Robinson, S. Gottlieb.
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Analysis and interpretation of the data: M. Khatta, B. Alexander, C.M. Krichten, M. Fisher, R. Freudenberger, S.W. Robinson, S. Gottlieb.
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Drafting of the article: M. Khatta, B. Alexander.
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Critical revision of the article for important intellectual content: M. Khatta, C.M. Krichten, M. Fisher, R. Freudenberger, S.W. Robinson, S. Gottlieb.
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Final approval of the article: M. Khatta, B. Alexander, C.M. Krichten, M. Fisher, R. Freudenberger, S.W. Robinson, S. Gottlieb.
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Provision of study materials or patients: B. Alexander, M. Fisher, R. Freudenberger, S.W. Robinson, S. Gottlieb.
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Statistical expertise: S. Gottlieb.
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Collection and assembly of data: M. Khatta, C.M. Krichten.
- Copyright ©2004 by the American College of Physicians
