To observe the effect of L-carnitine on plasma N terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac function in patients with congestive heart failure.

Ninety-eight patients with congestive heart failure, who were treated between June 2013 and June 2015, were selected as the study objects. According to the random number table method, the patients were divided into the observation group and the control group, with 49 cases in each group. The control group was treated with routine anti-heart failure drugs. On the basis, the observation group was treated with L-carnitine. After 2 weeks of treatment, the levels of plasma NT-proBNP and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) were analyzed. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and cardiac output (CO) were compared between the two groups. Meanwhile, the Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (MLHFQ) and the 6 minutes walk test (6 MWD) were used to evaluate the curative effects.

After treatment, the levels of NT-proBNP , TGF-β1 in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); The LVEF and CO of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group. LVEDD of the observation group was significantly shorter than that of the control group (P<0.05); After treatment, there were significant differences in MLHFQ score and 6 MWD between the two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).

Routine drugs can effectively reduce the plasma NT-proBNP level in patients with congestive heart failure and improve cardiac function. The effects are better if the routine drugs are combined with L-carnitine. It is worthy of widely application in clinical practice.

L-carnitine; Congestive heart failure; N terminal brain natriuretic peptide; Cardiac function