Effect of propionyl-L-carnitine on rats with experimentally induced cardiomyopathies

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the functional definition of a clinical syndrome with a heterogeneous underlying aetiology, but a common manifestation characterised by the “exhaustion of the reserve force of the heart” [1]. Despite the different classes of drugs employed in its treatment, CHF maintains a poor prognosis [2] and is considered a malignant disease. It is noteworthy that some recent editorials published in leading medical journals emphasise the “failure to treat heart failure” [3, 4]. Thus, despite the progress that has unequivocally been achieved in recent years with the development of pharmacological classes of agents acting through novel mechanisms, the need to develop effective and safe drugs remains strong [5].