Growth hormone therapy shows promise in heart failure management

Growth hormone (GH) therapy shows promise as an adjunct treatment for heart failure (HF), improving cardiac function, exercise capacity, and symptoms, while potentially reducing adverse outcomes like worsening HF or ventricular tachycardia, according to a study.

Researchers analyzed data from 17 randomized, placebo-controlled trials involving adult patients with HF. The meta-analysis revealed that GH therapy significantly improved left ventricular ejection fraction, peak oxygen consumption, and New York Heart Association class. In addition, GH therapy reduced the composite risk of death, worsening HF, or ventricular tachycardia by 41%. Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, higher baseline ejection fractions, and longer treatment durations experienced the most significant benefits.

Researchers emphasize the need for event-driven trials to confirm these promising results and establish GH therapy’s role in HF care.

Reference
Theodorakis N, Feretzakis G, Kreouzi M, et al. Growth Hormone Therapy in Chronic Heart Failure: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2024 Nov 21:dgae814. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgae814. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39566897.