Treatment of congestive heart failure

Abstract

A mammal with congestive heart failure is treated by administering to the mammal an effective amount of growth hormone. Treatment results in increased left ventricular cystolic pressure, increased left ventricular maximum, increased cardiac output, and increased stroke volume index. Treatment also results in reduced left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and reduced systemic vascular resistance. These measurements indicate improvement in cardiac function by increased ventricular contractility and decreased peripheral vascular resistance.

1 . A method of treating a mammal exhibiting congestive heart failure comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of growth hormone.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said growth hormone is human growth hormone.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said mammal is human.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said effective amount is in the range of 10-100 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said administering is subcutaneous or intravenous.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said congestive heart failure results from myocardial infarction.