The Effect of Chronic Trimetazidine Administration on Left Ventricular Function and Quality Of Life in Libyan Patients with Heart Failure

Narges A Albibas¹, Osama A Bheleel¹ and Fathi M Sherif²*

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000135

Received: May 31, 2017   Published: June 15, 2017

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Abstract

Background: Heart failure is a major cardiovascular disease and public health problem. It is complex clinical syndrome that results from any structural or functional impairment of ventricular filling or ejection of the blood. Trimetazidine is a cardio-protective drug that exerts cytoprotective effects by inhibition of the mitochondrial long-chain 3-ketoacyl coenzyme A thiolase.

Aim: This study was aimed to examine effects of chronic trimetazidine administration on left ventricular function, symptoms and quality of life of patients with heart failure (secondary to ischemic or non-ischemic heart disease).

Methods: This study was conducted at Cardiology unit of Tripoli Medical Center on 46 Libyan patients (39 - 85 years, 27 men : 19 women) diagnosed with chronic heart failure due to ischemic or non-ischemic heart diseases. The patients received, in addition to the standard therapy of heart failure, 35 mg of trimetazidine twice per day for six months. Patients were evaluated for left ventricular function by echocardiography after six months of the therapy. Symptoms and quality of life were assessed by Minnesota questionnaire after six months of trimetazidine use.

Results: The mean of left ventricular ejection fraction before treatment with trimetazidine was 37.9% and after treatment was 40.6%. The mean of left ventricular end diastolic diameter before treatment with trimetazidine was 63.544 mm and after treatment was 62.261 mm. Trimetazidine therapy was associated with a considerable improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (p < 0.05) and a significant decrease in left ventricular end diastolic diameter (p < 0.05). There was no improvement in symptoms and quality of life of heart failure patients on trimetazidine therapy.

Conclusion: Treatment with trimetazidine for six months with the conventional heart failure drugs improves the left ventricular function.

Keywords: Heart failure; Left ventricular; Trimetazidine; Quality of life; Libya

Abbreviations: CAD: Coronary Artery Disease; HF: Heart Failure; COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; CVD: Cardiovascular Disease; DM: Diabetes Mellitus; EF: Ejection Fraction; IHD: Ischemic Heart Disease; LV: Left Ventricular; LVEDD: Left Ventricular End Diastolic Diameter; LVEF: Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction; MI: Myocardial Infarction; NYHA: New York Heart Association; QOL: Quality of life

Introduction | Materials and methods | Results | Discussion | Author Contribution | Acknowledgement | Ethical Approval | References | Figures |