Table 1.
Summary of some clinical trials included in this review.
| Study | Patients | Duration | Treatment | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caminiti et al 99 | 70 elderly male patients with stable CHF, LVEF<40%, NYHA class II to III | 12 weeks | Intramuscular long-acting testosterone undecanoate (1000 mg) | Improvements in exercise capacity, muscle strength, glucose metabolism, and baroreflex sensitivity |
| Malkin et al 100 | 76 male patients with stable CHF | 12 months | A single 5 mg testosterone patch at night, replaced every 24 h | Improved functional capacity and symptoms |
| Osterziel et al 103 | 50 CHF patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, LVEF<45% | 12 weeks | Subcutaneous injection of rhGH (2 IU) daily | Increase in left-ventricular mass; no change in NYHA class, LVEF, or 6‑MWD |
| Isgaard et al 104 | 22 patients with CHF, LVEF<45%, NYHA class II to III | 3 months | Subcutaneous injection of rhGH (0.25 IU/kg/week) every evening | No effect on cardiac function, exercise capacity, or neuroendocrine activation |
| Nagaya et al 106 | 18 patients with stable CHF, LVEF<35% | 3 weeks | Intravenous ghrelin (2 μg/kg twice a day) | Increase in LVEF, 6‑MWD, pVO2, muscle strength, and lean body mass |
| Rooks et al 119 | 40 elderly people with sarcopenia | 16 weeks | Intravenous bimagrumab 30 mg/kg | Increased muscle mass and strength and improved mobility |
CHF = chronic heart failure; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction; NYHA = New York Heart Association; pVO2 = peak oxygen consumption; rhGH = recombinant human growth hormone; 6MWD = 6-min walk distance.