European multicenter study on propionyl-L-carnitine in intermittent claudication.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

This study was performed to identify a target population of claudicants for propionyl-L-carnitine treatment.

BACKGROUND:

Previous studies suggest that the efficacy of propionyl-L-carnitine in intermittent claudication is greater in patients with severe functional impairment than in those with mild walking disability.

METHODS:

After run-in, 485 claudicant patients were randomized to placebo or propionyl-L-carnitine (1 g bid, p.o.) and then stratified on the basis of maximal walking distance (cutoff point 250 m) and maximal walking distance variability (cutoff point 25%). Treatment lasted 12 months. Walking capacity was assessed by treadmill and quality of life by a questionnaire exploring various aspects of daily life.

RESULTS:

In the target population, that is, patients who at baseline walked < or = 250 m and showed a maximal walking distance variability < or = 25%, per-protocol analysis showed that the effect of propinyl-L-carnitine was significantly greater than that with placebo for both maximal walking distance and initial claudication distance (ICD). In the intention-to-treat population, maximal walking distance increased by 62 +/- 14% on propionyl-L-carnitine and by 46 +/- 9% (p < 0.05) on placebo, while no difference between treatments was observed for ICD. The beneficial effect of propionyl-L-carnitine was confirmed when data of the target population were pooled with those of patients who at baseline walked < or = 250 m and showed a > 25% maximal walking distance < 50% variability. Actually, maximal walking distance increased by 98 +/- 16% in the propionyl-L-carnitine group and by only 54 +/- 10% in the placebo group (p < 0.01). The corresponding values for ICD were 99 +/- 21% and 51 +/- 8% (p < 0.05). For patients with baseline maximal walking distance > 250 m, no difference between treatments was observed.

CONCLUSIONS:

Claudicants with maximal walking distance < or = 250 m benefited from the use of propionyl-L-carnitine, with improvement in walking distance and quality of life. However, patients with mild functional impairment (i.e., walking distance > 250 m) showed no response to propionyl-L-carnitine.

• Authors: G Brevetti, C Diehm, D Lambert
• Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (J Am Coll Cardiol) Vol. 34 Issue 5 Pg. 1618-24 (Nov 01 1999) ISSN: 0735-1097 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10551714 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cardiotonic Agents
• propionylcarnitine
• Carnitine

Topics

• Cardiotonic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Carnitine (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Europe
• Female
• Humans
• Intermittent Claudication (drug therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Quality of Life
• Treatment Outcome