Noninvasive assessment of coenzyme Q 10 in patients with chronic stable effort angina and moderate heart failure

The effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a new drug affecting myocardial metabolism, was assessed in twenty patients with stable effort angina and mild heart failure by noninvasive methods. A randomized, double-blind, crossover versus placebo protocol was adopted. The results showed that long-term oral administration (60 mg/day/ for four weeks) of CoQ10 significantly improved clinical scores of heart failure, anginal symptoms, and tolerance to effort. Hemodynamic changes had been characterized by a significant increase in resting stroke volume. Cardiac output increased and total peripheral resistances declined, although not significantly. The tendency toward reduced afterload and improved cardiac performance was assumed to be the main mechanism accounting for the decrease in cardiothoracic ratio and cardiac volume. The decrease in ventricular premature beats induced by the drug, although not significant, warrants further investigation.