Heart Transplantation
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the ingestion of a flavonoid-rich dark chocolate compared to flavonoid-free placebo chocolate will improve coronary vasomotion in heart transplanted patients.
Detailed description
Dark chocolate contains a high amount of flavonoids. Flavonoids hold the possibilities to improve oxidative stress and hence the possibility to improve endothelium-dependent coronary vasomotion, which is a powerful surrogate for clinical prognosis. Coronary atherosclerosis is promoted by impaired endothelial function and increased platelet activation. High oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant defenses play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, in particular in transplanted hearts. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the ingestion of a flavonoid-rich dark chocolate compared to flavonoid-free placebo chocolate will improve coronary vasomotion in heart transplanted patients.
Interventions
OTHERDark chocolate
Sponsors
University of Zurich
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Masking
DOUBLE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 80 Years
Inclusion criteria
1. Patients after heart transplantation not requiring immediate coronary intervention 2. Age 20 - 80 3. Written obtained informed consent
Exclusion criteria
1. Heart failure (acute or chronic \>NYHA II) 2. Ventricular tachy-arrythmias or AV-Block \>I° 3. Renal insufficiency (\>200 μmol/l) or liver disease (ALT or AST \>150 IU) 4. Symptomatic hypotension, hypertension \>160/100mmHg 5. Known allergy to compounds dark chocolate 6. Acute infectious disease 7. Disease with systemic inflammation (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, M. Crohn) 8. Participation in another study within the last month 9. Concomitant vitamin supplements
Outcome results
None listed