Improved Physical Function After Cardiac Contractility Modulation Therapy in 10 Patients With Chronic Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: A new generation of therapeutic devices has expanded the options for managing advanced heart failure. We examined the outcomes of cardiac contractility therapy in a series of 10 patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS: Ten patients with chronic heart failure were nonrandomly selected to receive cardiac contractility modulation therapy. Hemodynamics, left ventricular ejection fraction, functional capacity, and clinical outcomes were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months of therapy. RESULTS: Eight male and 2 female patients (mean [SD] age, 63.4 [9.4] years) received cardiac contractility modulation therapy. Between baseline and 6-month follow-up, mean (SD) left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 27.1% (4.18%) to 35.1% (9.89%), New York Heart Association class declined from 3.9 (0.32) to 2.44 (0.52), and 6-minute walk test distance increased from 159.2 (93.79) m to 212.4 (87.24) m. Furthermore, the mean (SD) number of hospital admissions within the 6 months before cardiac contractility modulation therapy was 2.4 (2.27) compared with 1 (1.52) during the 6 months after therapy. CONCLUSION: Cardiac contractility modulation therapy improved physical functioning and reduced hospital admissions in these patients.

A systemic review on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol, curcumin, and dietary nitric oxide supplementation on human cardiovascular health.

The potential benefits of supplemental nutrients and dietary interventions against cardiovascular morbidity and mortality have been extensively investigated throughout the years. Numerous supplements claim cardioprotection and reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, but the roles of many supplements have not been determined. In the vast number of supplements on the market asserting cardioprotective effects, only 3 have been thoroughly evaluated and consistently reported as effective by our clinic patients. They have used supplements such as fish oil, multivitamins, and calcium, but many had not known of the benefits of resveratrol, curcumin, and nitric oxide as supplements for improving cardiovascular health. The cardioprotective effects of these dietary supplements in both animal models and humans have been explored with proposed mechanisms of action mostly attributed to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Resveratrol is one of the most studied polyphenols with established cardiovascular benefits. Preclinical studies have demonstrated these effects exerted via improved inflammatory markers, atherogenic profile, glucose metabolism, and endothelial function and are further supported by clinical trials. Curcumin has a well-established anti-inflammatory role by regulating numerous transcription factors and cytokines linked to inflammation. Inflammation is an underlying pathology in cardiovascular diseases, rendering curcumin a potential therapeutic compound. Similarly, nitric oxide supplementation has demonstrated cardiovascular benefits by normalizing blood pressure; enhancing blood flow; and reducing inflammation, immune dysfunction, and oxidative stress. A comprehensive review was performed evaluating the cardioprotective effects of these 3 dietary supplements with hope to provide updated information, promote further awareness of these supplements, and inspire future studies on their effects on cardiovascular health.