Medical News Today (MNT)A Natural Supplement May Help People with a New Type of Heart Disease

This article reports on a clinical study investigating tricaprin supplementation in patients with triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy (TDCV), a rare, recently discovered heart condition. The evidence quality is moderate (non-blinded comparative study with n=22 intervention vs. n=190 controls) but shows promising outcomes for this specific population with limited treatment options.

Key Clinical Considerations

• Tricaprin (medium-chain triglyceride found in coconut oil) improved myocardial lipolysis in TDCV patients, addressing the fundamental pathophysiology of impaired triglyceride breakdown.
• Intervention group showed 100% three-year and five-year survival rates compared to control group rates of 78.6% and 68.1%, respectively.
• Among heart failure patients specifically, tricaprin group maintained 100% survival rates while controls showed 76.8% (3-year) and 64.8% (5-year) survival.
• Clinical benefits included heart failure symptom improvement, durable heart failure recovery, and left ventricular improvements including better ejection fraction.
• Study limitations include small sample size, focus on Japanese population, variable timing between diagnosis and treatment, and potential conflicts of interest with the Patient Association providing the supplement.

Clinical Practice Impact

• Consider discussing tricaprin supplementation with TDCV patients who have symptoms resistant to standard treatments, particularly those with heart failure.
• Although promising, the limited evidence base warrants caution in broad application.
• Document discussions about this emerging treatment option, noting its investigational nature.
• Monitor patients closely for clinical response if implementing, and consider consulting with specialists experienced in treating rare cardiomyopathies before recommending supplementation.

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