Journal
JOURNAL OF PARENTERAL AND ENTERAL NUTRITION
Volume 38, Issue 6, Pages 736-743Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1177/0148607113495414
Keywords
L-carnitine; carnitine; sepsis; shock; randomized control trial
Categories
Funding
- American Heart Association [AHA 10POST356001]
- Cannon Research Center [SRG10-004]
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences [R01 GM103799]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Background: Sepsis is characterized by metabolic disturbances, and previous data suggest a relative carnitine deficiency may contribute to metabolic dysfunction. Studies regarding safety and patient-centered efficacy of carnitine during septic shock are lacking. Methods: This was a double-blind randomized control trial of levocarnitine (L-carnitine) infusion vs normal saline for the treatment of vasopressor-dependent septic shock. Patients meeting consensus definition for septic shock with a cumulative vasopressor index >= 3 and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score >= 5 enrolled within 16 hours of the recognition of septic shock were eligible. The primary safety outcome was difference in serious adverse events (SAEs) per patient between groups. Efficacy outcomes included proportion of patients demonstrating a decrease in SOFA score of 2 or more points at 24 hours and short-and long-term survival. Results: Of the 31 patients enrolled, 16 were in the L-carnitine and 15 were in the placebo arm. There was no difference in SAEs between placebo and intervention (2.1 vs 1.8 SAEs per patient, P =.44). There was no difference in the proportion of patients achieving a decrease in SOFA score of 2 or more points at 24 hours between placebo and treatment (53% vs 44%, P =.59). Mortality was significantly lower at 28 days in the L-carnitine group (4/16 vs 9/15, P =.048), with a nonsignificant improved survival at 1 year (P =.06). Conclusion: L-carnitine infusion appears safe in vasopressor-dependent septic shock. Preliminary efficacy data suggest potential benefit of L-carnitine treatment, and further testing is indicated.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available