The beneficial effect of famotidine in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Objective: Survivors of myocardial infarction (MI) are at increased risk of cardiac remodeling and heart failure. Activated neurohormones, including histamine, play a critical role in this regard. Data from experimental animals indicated that blocking the activity of histamine served as a rational choice in treatment of this disease. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of famotidine in management of patients with acute MI. Method: The present study was a multicenter prospective randomized trial carried out at Al-Sader Teaching Hospital and Al-Fayhaa’ General Hospital, Basra, Iraq during the period from August 2010 to August 2011. Sixty patients were allocated into two groups. Group 1 (31 patients) received famotidine (40 mg/day) and group 2 (29 patients) received placebo formula in addition to the currently used drugs. All patients underwent initial echocardiographic evaluation at admission and 30 days after randomization along with measurement of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP) levels. Results: Famotidine decreased the dilation of the left ventricle compared to placebo (P < 0.05), with an absolute decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (P < 0.05). Famotidine treated patients also had a lower level of Nt-proBNP after completion of the study. Conclusion: Famotidine appears to have a beneficial role in management of patients who survive myocardial infarction.