Effects of human recombinant growth hormone on exercise capacity, cardiac structure, and cardiac function in patients with adult-onset growth hormone deficiency.

Objective Epidemiological studies suggest that adult-onset growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) might increase the risk of death from cardiovascular causes. Methods This was a 6-month double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, cross-over trial followed by a 6-month open-label phase. Seventeen patients with AGHD received either recombinant human growth hormone (rGH) (0.4 mg injection daily) or placebo for 12 weeks, underwent washout for 2 weeks, and were then crossed over to the alternative treatment for a further 12 weeks. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing were performed at baseline, 12 weeks, 26 weeks, and the end of the open phase (12 months). The results were compared with those of 16 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Results At baseline, patients with AGHD had a significantly higher systolic blood pressure, ejection fraction, and left ventricular mass than the control group, even when corrected for body surface area. Treatment with rGH normalised the insulin-like growth factor 1 concentration without an effect on exercise capacity, cardiac structure, or cardiac function. Conclusion Administration of rGH therapy for 6 to 9 months failed to normalise the functional and structural cardiac differences observed in patients with AGHD when compared with a control group.

The immediate and long-term outcome of enhanced external counterpulsation in treatment of chronic stable refractory angina.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of angina recalcitrant to conventional pharmacological therapy and revascularization remains problematic. Safe, effective and affordable treatments with high patient acceptability are desirable. Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) may fulfil these criteria better than many other proposed interventions. OBJECTIVE: To examine the immediate and long-term effect of EECP in treatment of chronic stable refractory angina. DESIGN: Prospective observational study of consecutive patients treated with EECP and follow-up for 1 year. SETTING: Teaching hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina grading, weekly angina frequency and glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) use. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were treated with EECP and 58 completed a course of treatment. Further analysis is confined to those who completed EECP. About 52% of patients suffered from CCS III and IV angina prior to EECP. Immediately post-EECP, angina improved by at least one CCS class in 86% and by two classes in 59%. At 1-year follow-up, sustained improvement in CCS was observed in 78% of the patients. The median weekly angina frequency and GTN use were significantly reduced immediately after EECP [7 (4-14) vs. 1 (0-4) episodes per week and 7 (2-16) vs. 0 (0-2) times per week respectively, P < 0.0001; data in median (interquartile range)]. The reduction was sustained at 1-year follow-up. In 48 patients, their mean exercise time improved significantly after EECP [301 +/- 130 s vs. 379 +/- 147 s, P < 0.0001]. Major adverse treatment-related events were rare. CONCLUSION: This study shows that for patients who fail to respond to conventional measures, a high proportion gain symptomatic benefit from EECP.

Some current controversies in heart failure (2004-2005).

The disparity between what doctor's believe and the medical facts can be frightening at times. This reflects centuries of training on how to manage patients in the absence of evidence to guide practice. Increasingly disease is becoming susceptible to treatment, requiring a change in the professional approach from the educated, hopeful guess to the application of objective data. Arrogance and certainty, born of ignorance and clutching in desperation at imaginary straws probably still have a place in medicine when conventional treatment has failed, but should play a diminishing role within the medical profession. Epidemiological association is no longer sufficient evidence to conclude that an intervention is effective; with few exceptions, randomised-controlled trials are required. A more successful and objective era of medical practice has arrived. Consequently, a greater degree of scepticism about claims of benefit is also appropriate, which should apply equally to treatments new and old. Of course, no 2 patients are alike, and the evidence-base remains a guide-map on how patients should be treated, rather than a set of rigid rules. Guidelines are guidelines and not infallible, inviolable decrees. In this article, some of the current controversies in the management of heart failure are discussed, ranging from diagnosis, diastolic heart failure, and the role of natriuretic peptides, to the lack of evidence for a clinically-relevant benefit (and therefore possible harm) from aspirin, statins, implantable defibrillators or revascularisation.