Supportive Treatment with CoenzymeQ10 in Heart Failure: The Irvine3 Labs Study on Heart Failure in Vascular Patients

Abstract

The aim of this registry was the evaluation of the clinical value of CoQ10 in heart failure (HF) during a 12-week
observation period. Patients with stable congestive HF
(NYHA class II-III), limited exercise capacity (Karnofsky scale
value between 50 and 70) and reduction in ejection fraction
(< 41%) were included. A clinical and physiological evaluation (exercise capacity, ejection fraction) was used. The
study focused on vascular patients with past symptoms. A
single oral dose of CoQ10 (100 mg/day) was used. 107
patients (out of 120 included) completed at least 12 weeks.
Mean age was 62.4 ± 6.9. No side effects due to CoQ10
were recorded. Dropouts were due to poor compliance or
logistics; 2 patients had hospital admission for emergency;
3 patients died for causes related to HF. Other cardiovascular disease was associated in all patients.
Results. There was a mild decrease in systolic pressures
(p<0.05) and a decrease in heart and respiratory rate
(p<0.05). The average weight of patients decreased
(p<0.05); (6.24% less than the initial value). Signs/symptoms improved (improvement of at least 3 symptoms was
observed in 63% of patients). At 12 weeks we had to reallocate NYHA classes: 6 out of 44 patients passed from class
II to I, and 9 out of 63 passed from class III to II. In total,
14.01% of patients passed to the lower class. There was a
significant improvement in “target measurements”: ejection
fraction improved (from 25.7%; range 17-40 to 29.2%; 18-
44*; p<0.05; variation equivalent to a 4.5% increase). The
improvement in walking distance was 45.7% of the initial
value (p<0.05); the Karnofski scale value improved from an
initial median of 57.7 to 63.2 (p<0.05); (5, 5% increase).
Conclusion. CoQ10 supplement improves both clinical
and physiological parameters in HF. Low CoQ10 values may
increase mortality in HF, but supplementation may be useful to improve clinical parameters and, possibly, outcome
and mortality.