Levocarnitine Can Benefit Cardiomyopathy Associated With Carnitine Deficiency Secondary to Metabolic Disorders

In an open-label study of 51 pediatric patients with known secondary carnitine deficiency, L-carnitine treatment improved¹ :

• Measured cardiac criteria in all patients presenting with cardiomyopathy
• This included diminished heart size and improved contractility
• Growth characterized by increasing muscle mass in patients with failure to thrive
• Muscle strength and tone (subjective improvement) in patients with muscle weakness
• Central nervous system functioning in patients with encephalopathy
• Hypoglycemia with no further episodes occurring after treatment in patients presenting with hypoglycemia

References: 1. Winter SC, et al: Plasma carnitine deficiency. Am J Dis Child 1987;141:660-665.