Lack of effect of coenzyme Q on left ventricular function in patients with congestive heart failure

OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the effects of oral therapy with coenzyme Q on echocardiographic and hemodynamic indexes of left ventricular function and on quality of life in patients with chronic left ventricular dysfunction. BACKGROUND Coenzyme Q is coenzyme for oxidative phosphorylation and an antioxidant and free radical scavenger. It has been claimed to improve symptoms, quality of life, left ventricular ejection fraction and prognosis in patients with cardiac failure. METHODS Thirty patients with ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and chronic left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction 26 ± 6%) were randomized to double-blind crossover trial of oral coenzyme Q versus placebo, each for 3 months. Right heart pressures, cardiac output and echocardiographic left ventricular volumes were measured at baseline and after each treatment phase, and quality of life was assessed using the Minnesot “Living With Heart Failure” questionnaire. It was calculated that to demonstrate an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction from 25% to 30% with standard deviation of 5% using 95% confidence intervals with power of 80% we would require 17 patients. RESULTS Twenty-seven completed both treatment phases. There was no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac volumes or hemodynamic and quality of life indices after treatment with coenzyme Q or placebo, although plasm coenzyme Q levels increased from 903 ± 345 nmol/l−1 to 2,029 ± 856 nmol/l−1. CONCLUSIONS In patients with left ventricular dysfunction, treatment for three months with oral coenzyme Q failed to improve resting left ventricular systolic function or quality of life despite an increase in plasm levels of coenzyme Q to more than twice basal values.