---
title: "L-carnitine in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular…"
description: "L-carnitine may reduce mortality, ventricular arrhythmias, and angina after a heart attack, but more research is needed."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d23597877.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d23597877.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d23597877.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d23597877"
journal: "Mayo Clin Proc"
year: 2013
pmid: "23597877"
doi: "10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.02.007"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# L-carnitine in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis

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## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Mayo Clin Proc |
| Year | 2013 |
| PMID | [23597877](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23597877/) |
| DOI | [10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.02.007](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.02.007) |
| Study key | d23597877 |

## Takeaway

L-carnitine may reduce mortality, ventricular arrhythmias, and angina after a heart attack, but more research is needed.

## The question

Does L-carnitine reduce morbidity and mortality in patients who have experienced an acute myocardial infarction?

## Hypothesis

The study implicitly hypothesizes that L-carnitine, compared to placebo or control, will reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes such as mortality, ventricular arrhythmias, angina, heart failure, and reinfarction in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

## Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, including 13 controlled trials with a total of 3629 participants. The researchers searched Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase databases for studies published between May 1, 2012, and August 31, 2012. The effects of L-carnitine versus placebo or control on mortality, ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), angina, heart failure, and reinfarction were evaluated.

## Results

L-carnitine was associated with a 27% reduction in all-cause mortality, a 65% reduction in ventricular arrhythmias, and a 40% reduction in the development of angina. There was no significant reduction in the development of heart failure or myocardial reinfarction.

## Conclusion

L-carnitine is associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality, ventricular arrhythmias, and anginal symptoms in patients who have experienced an acute myocardial infarction.

## Limitations

The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the meta-analysis, but it suggests that further large randomized controlled trials are warranted, implying a need for more robust evidence.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> L-carnitine was associated with a significant 27% reduction in all-cause mortality

## L-carnitine's Impact on Cardiovascular Outcomes

| Measure | Percentage Reduction (%) |
| --- | --- |
| All-cause mortality reduction | 27 |
| Ventricular arrhythmia reduction | 65 |
| Angina reduction | 40 |
| Heart failure reduction | 0 |
| Myocardial reinfarction reduction | 0 |

*L-carnitine significantly reduced all-cause mortality, ventricular arrhythmias, and angina, but not heart failure or myocardial reinfarction.*

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| L-Carnitine | Moderate evidence | [L-Carnitine](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/135.md) |

## Reference

1. **L-carnitine in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis**
   Mayo Clin Proc 2013 · [PMID 23597877](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23597877/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.02.007](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.02.007)

   > L-carnitine was associated with a significant 27% reduction in all-cause mortality

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [L-Carnitine](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/135.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Evidence: fatty-acid mitochondrial shuttle](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s135.md)
- [L-carnitine in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: systematic review and…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/lcarnitine_cvd.html)
- [Evidence: mitochondrial fatty-acid transport](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s126.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).