CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY, cilt.30, sa.8, ss.643-645, 1997 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective: Carnitine, a small aminoacid derivative plays a major role in fatty acid oxidation. Myocardial carnitine deficiency may cause malfunction of the heart. Rheumatic valvular heart disease can be associated with myocardial dysfunction. We have investigated myocardial and plasma-free carnitine levels in patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease.