High-dose L-Carnitine and Diaphragmatic Function Assessed by Ultrasonography in Patients With Respiratory Failure.

High-dose L-Carnitine and Diaphragmatic Function Assessed by Ultrasonography in Patients With Respiratory Failure.

Effect of High-dose L-Carnitine Supplementation on Diaphragmatic Function Assessed by Ultrasonography in Critically Ill Patients With Respiratory Failure: a Randomized Clinical Trial

L-Carnitine supplementation has been shown to boost muscular performance in several studies. In hemodialysis patients with muscular weakness, fatigue, or cramps/aches, after L-carnitine treatment, about two-thirds of patients had at least some improvement in muscular symptoms . L-Carnitine was also found to improve the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in hemodialysis patients with cardiac morbidity who had significantly reduced LVEF in echocardiography before supplementation. Moreover, L-Carnitine has been shown to improve muscular function and exercise performance in athletes in several studies

maintenance dose of L- carnitine 6 gm/day to keep normal level (normal L-carnitine level is normal 25-50 mmol/L)

high dose of L- Carnitine 18 gm/day as a continuous intravenous infusion to reach double the normal plasma level.

will receive a maintenance dose of L- carnitine 6 gm/day to keep normal level (normal L-carnitine level is normal 25-50 mmol/L)

will receive a high dose of L- Carnitine 18 gm/day as a continuous intravenous infusion to reach double the normal plasma level

Inclusion Criteria: Age from 21 years old or greater Both genders have respiratory failure either of the primary medical origin or in the post-surgical course. Not in need of mechanical ventilation Exclusion Criteria: Renal failure on regular dialysis Hypothyroidism Seizures End-stage liver disease Mechanical ventilation History or discovered allergy to L-carnitine, pivampicillin, and other pivalate-conjugated antibiotics.