[Effect of L-carnitine in patients with ischemic heart disease].

: To assess the protective effects of L-carnitine (LC) infusion on ischemic heart disease, 30 patients who had angina and ischemic ECG changes during exercise were evaluated by bicycle ergometry. They were categorized in LC and non-treatment (NT) groups. There were no significant differences in age and sex between the 2 groups. Before exercise, 15 patients (9 males and 6 females) received 60 mg/kg LC and the results including hemodynamics, coronary circulation, and cardiac metabolism at rest and during exercise were compared with those of the NT group studied in the same protocol (50 watts x to cycle, 15 min). At the end of 30 min LC drip infusion, the arterial carnitine content (LC (a)) reached 1,980 +/- 257.3 microM and then was maintained at 1,212.7 +/- 136.2 microM during exercise. There was no correlation of LC (a) with the coronary arterio-venous difference nor with myocardial uptake of LC. Although there was no significant difference in coronary blood flow (CBF: mliters/100 g/min) between the LC and NT groups at rest (LC: 92.1 +/- 29.0 vs NT: 88.0 +/- 26.5), CBF during exercise increased significantly in the LC group compared with the NT group (LC: 230.4 +/- 113.8 vs NT: 139.1 +/- 52.7; p 31.88 +/- 27.58* vs NT: 16.02 +/- 27.92-->18.11 +/- 31.00;* = p < 0.05, LC vs NT).