• Intervention
    For the patient with heart failure, does L-arginine provide beneficial outcomes?
    • Conclusion

      Four preliminary studies have found patients with heart failure may benefit from L-arginine, however the data is from small studies that used variable dosages and delivery techniques (IV vs. oral) with transient endpoints of variable clinical significance. Subjects in these studies were taking other medications for heart failure, including digoxin, diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and glyceryl trinitrate, though in three studies, the medications were discontinued prior to the study. Further research on the effect of L-arginine use in patients with heart failure is needed.

    • Grade: III
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.