Analysis of the effects of creatine supplementation in patients with heart failure:

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome characterized by the heart's inability to adequately meet the body's metabolic demands. Creatine supplementation has been investigated as a potential strategy to improve muscle function, functional capacity, and inflammatory markers in HF patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of creatine supplementation in HF patients through an integrative literature review. The research was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using the descriptors “Creatine,” “Heart Failure,” and “Supplementation” in both Portuguese and English. Initially, 20 studies were identified, and 12 were included after applying eligibility criteria. The results indicate that creatine supplementation may improve functional capacity, myocardial energy metabolism, and reduce inflammatory biomarkers. However, the heterogeneity of studies and the lack of long-term clinical trials limit the generalization of findings. It is concluded that creatine shows potential benefits as an adjunct treatment for HF, but additional studies are needed to establish its efficacy and safety.