The effect of preoperative L-carnitine supplementation on myocardial metabolism during aorto-coronary bypass surgery.

ABSTRACT

68 patients with defined myocardial ischemia, undergoing aorto-coronary bypass operation were assigned either to a group supplemented with L-carnitine (n = 41) or to a control group (n = 27). When extracorporeal circulation was established, a small piece of the right atrial appendage was biopsied and prepared for analysis for ATP, lactate and carnitine fractions. The ATP concentrations were higher in the patients supplemented with carnitine. A negative correlation existed between ATP and lactate levels. The amount of total carnitine was similar in both groups. However, free carnitine was higher, and long-chain acylcarnitine was lower when L-carnitine was supplemented. Postoperatively, the patients needed less inotropic medicaments, when supplemented with L-carnitine. L-carnitine supplementation in patients needed less inotropic medicaments, when supplemented with L-carnitine. L-carnitine supplementation in patients undergoing aorto-coronary bypass operation proved to be effective and beneficial for the normalization of myocardial energy metabolism parameters.