Effects of melatonin on left ventricular ejection fraction and functional class of heart failure patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

• BACKGROUND: Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, has multiple effects on circadian physiology, blood pressure, and coronary blood flow. It has also free radical scavenger and anti-oxidative activity. This study was planned to evaluate the effects of melatonin on left ventricular function of patients with heart failure.
• METHODS: In this randomized double-blind clinical trial, 60 patients with heart failure (based on clinical and echocardiography findings) admitted to Shahid Chamran and Khorshid Hospitals in Isfahan, Iran in 2010 received 3 mg melatonin or placebo for 2 months. New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in each group, before and after the study were compared. Comparisons were also made between the two groups each step. The data was analyzed by appropriate statistical methods.
• RESULTS: Overall, 60 patients (41 males and 19 females) participated in this study. LVEF increased from 31.7 to 37.6 in the case group (p < 0.001) and from 34.1 to 35.2 in the control group (p = 0.42). NYHA functional class improved only in the case group (p = 0.014 versus 0.317).
• CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that melatonin may have beneficial effects on patients with heart failure. However, larger studies may help to define its role in heart failure management.
• KEYWORDS: Melatonin; Heart Failure; New York Heart Association; Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.