In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine administriation on ventricular late potentials in patients with acute myocardial infarction. A total of 54 patients with the diagnosis ofacut myocardial infarction were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, L-carnitine group 27 patients (17 male, 10 female, mean age: 60±11 years), placebo group 27 patients (15 male, 12 female, mean age: 58 ±12 years). Signal averaged electrocardiogram (SOECG) recording was obtained in the first 48 hours of myocardial infarction. Measurments were repeated at the end of thrid week. L-carnitine (4gr/ day) and placebo were given to the patients randomly. Also, asetil salis/lic acide, heparine infusion and if not contraindicated thrombolytic agents were given to all patients. There were no differences between two groups in the first recordings. In the second recordings while QRS duration and LAS 40 were decreased in L-carnitine group (p0.05). Late potential positivity was detected in 13 patients in L-carnitine group and 14 patients in placebo group in the first recordings (p>0.05). However, in the second recordings we found late potential positivity in 8 patients in L-carnitine group (p0.05). It is concluded that the use of L-carnitine after acute myocardial infarction has a good effect on SOECG parameters without changing hemodynamic parameters.
Keywords: Acute myocardial infarction, L-carnitine, signal averaged electrocardiogram, late potentials.
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