Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) was found to be safe and effective long-term therapy in 143 people with chronic cardiomyopathy (diseases of the heart muscle), 98% of whom were in NYHA Classes III and IV. The New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification provides a simple way of classifying the extent of heart failure into four classes, with the highest (IV) being the worst. In addition to conventional medical treatment, study participants were given 100 mg of CoQ10 orally. Blood CoQ10 levels, clinical status, myocardial (heart) function and survival were recorded in this 6-year open-label study. In 3 months, mean CoQ10 levels rose to 2 micrograms/ml from 0.85 micrograms/ml. Mean ejection fraction which is a measurement of how well the heart is pumping increased from 44% to 60% in 6 months and stabilized at that level with a majority of patients showing statistically significant improvement. NYHA class in 85% of patients improved by one or two. Survival was estimated at 11.1% mortality in 12 months and 17.8% mortality in 24 months. There was also no evidence of toxicity or intolerance in 368.9 patient-years of exposure. (9)
