Levosimendan Can Improve the Level of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and the Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction of Patients with Advanced Heart Failure: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract Background Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare, pregnancy associated cause of left ventricular heart failure in previously healthy women. It remains an important cause of cardiac-related maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Half of the patients will recover left ventricular function after 6 months. However, in the remainder of patients who do not recover cardiac function, they will require advanced heart failure therapies. Bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist which inhibits prolactin release, has demonstrated improvement in left ventricular recovery and clinical outcome. We sought to determine the effect of adding Bromocriptine to standard heart failure therapy on the improvement and recovery of left ventricular function of these patients. Inclusion Criteria. Studies were included if they satisfied the following criteria:1) Randomized Controlled Trials; 2) Pregnant patients who fulfilled the criteria for diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy and 3) Reported data on improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction and clinical outcomes. Methods Using PUBMED, Clinical Key, Science Direct, Scopus, and Cochrane databases, a search for eligible studies was conducted from June to December 31, 2018. The quality of each study was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. The primary outcome of interest is on the effect of Bromocriptine on the improvement of left ventricular function and clinical outcomes among these patients. Review Manager 5.3 was utilized to perform analysis of random effects for continuous outcomes. Results We identified 2 randomized controlled trials of 58 pregnant patients diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy, showing that among those who received Bromocriptine on top of standard heart failure therapy, there is a significant improvement in the left ventricular ejection fraction at 6 months [mean difference 15.14 (95% CI, 6.53 to 23.75) p <0.05] compared to standard heart failure therapy alone. It was also observed that those who received Bromocriptine had better clinical outcomes. Conclusion The addition of Bromocriptine on top of standard heart failure therapy significantly improved the left ventricular ejection fraction of patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy at 6 months post-partum. This novel therapy may be considered to improve the management of these patients.

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Efficacy of Vitamin D on Chronic Heart Failure Among Adults

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000487 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 90 (1-2) ◽

pp. 49-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wang Chunbin ◽

Wang Han ◽

Cai Lin

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Chronic Heart Failure ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Randomized Controlled

Abstract. Vitamin D deficiency commonly occurs in chronic heart failure. Whether additional vitamin D supplementation can be beneficial to adults with chronic heart failure remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis to derive a more precise estimation. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched on September 8, 2016. Seven randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of vitamin D on cardiovascular outcomes in adults with chronic heart failure, and comprised 592 patients, were included in the analysis. Compared to placebo, vitamin D, at doses ranging from 2,000 IU/day to 50,000 IU/week, could not improve left ventricular ejection fraction (Weighted mean difference, WMD = 3.31, 95% confidence interval, CL = −0.93 to 7.55, P < 0.001, I2 = 92.1%); it also exerts no beneficial effects on the 6 minute walk distance (WMD = 18.84, 95% CL = −24.85 to 62.52, P = 0.276, I2 = 22.4%) and natriuretic peptide (Standardized mean difference, SMD = −0.39, 95% confidence interval CL = −0.48 to 0.69, P < 0.001, I2 = 92.4%). However, a dose-response analysis from two studies demonstrated an improved left ventricular ejection fraction with vitamin D at a dose of 4,000 IU/day (WMD = 6.58, 95% confidence interval CL = −4.04 to 9.13, P = 0.134, I2 = 55.4%). The results showed that high dose vitamin D treatment could potentially benefit adults with chronic heart failure, but more randomized controlled trials are required to confirm this result.

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