The effects of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on ejection fractions, cardiac output, and improvements in functional classifications (NYHA) in 88 patients with cardiomyopathy (diseases related weakness of the heart muscle) were studied. The New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification provides a simple way of classifying the extent of heart failure into IV classes, with the highest being the worst. Of the 88 patients, 75%-85% showed statistically significant increases in two cardiac parameters. Patients with the lowest ejection fractions which is a measurement of how well the heart is pumping (approx. 10%-30%) showed the highest increases (115 delta %-210 delta %) and those with higher ejection fractions (50%-80%) showed increases of about 10 delta %-25 delta % on therapy. Delta % is the response during exercise. By functional classification, 17 out of 21 in class IV, 52 out of 62 in class III, and 4 out of 5 in class II improved to lower classes. Forty-eight percent of patients in class IV, 42% in class III, and 40% in class II had very low control blood levels of CoQ10. In summary, CoQ10 therapy appears to have the greatest effect in patients with blood levels at about 2.5 micrograms CoQ10/ml and higher during therapy. (10)
