Influence of L-arginine and vitamin C on the autonomic nervous system in chronic heart failure secondary to ischemic cardiomyopathy

Abstract In this study, we used spectral analysis to assess changes in respiratory recording variability during infusion of l -arginine and vitamin C, individually or together, in patients with chronic heart failure. We found that healthy subjects have a substantial ability to modulate sympathetic-mediated peripheral vascular resistance through endothelial synthesis of nitric oxide. Patients with chronic heart failure lose this ability.