Positive and negative outcomes of L-arginine therapy in cardiovascular diseases.

The author reviews controlled clinical investigation on the effectiveness of L-arginine in cardiovascular diseases. Positive results were observed in hyperlipidemic subjects and in patients with a critical stage of the peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Patients with stable ischemic heart disease responded to L-arginine to some extent, while results of L-arginine therapy in congestive heart failure are inconsistent. Null effects if L-arginine has been documented in essential hypertension.