Recombinant growth hormone therapy in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy : effects on hemodynamics, left ventricular function, and cardiopulmonary exercise capacity.

Background —We studied the effects of recombinant growth hormone (rhGH) on exercise capacity and cardiac function in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Methods and Results —Seven patients (aged 55±9 years) with mild to moderate congestive heart failure (ejection fraction 31±4%) who were on standard therapy were included. The patients were studied at baseline, after 3 months of rhGH treatment, and 3 months after rhGH discontinuation. Cardiac function was assessed by exercise capacity, right heart catheterization at rest and after submaximal exercise, MRI, echocardiography, and Holter monitoring. When administered at a dose of 2 IU/d, rhGH doubled the serum concentration of insulin-like …