RESUMO
Nine patients, aged 49 to 76 years old, 7 male, were studied. Seven had an idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and 2 a coronary heart disease. All had a stable cardiac failure, in functional capacity II or III and were receiving digoxin, furosemide and potassium supplements. Thyroid hormone levels, basal and exercise growth hormone and IGF-1 levels were measured and compared with reference values for American populations. Left ventricular ejection fraction was measured with an isotopic technique and nutritional status using anthropometry and indirect calorimetry. Anthropometric measures, basal and postprandial oxygen consumption were within normal limits. Thyroid hormone levels were normal. During maximal exercise, growth hormone levels were 2.56ñ4.1 ng/ml and IGF-1 levels were 0.56ñ0.61 mU/ml. These values were significantly lower than expected for age and sex. These patients with chronic cardiac failure have lower than normal growth hormone and IGF-1 levels