The supplementation of L-carnitine in critically ill patients with sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objectives: The evidence suggests that L-carnitine may reduce mortality in critically ill patients with sepsis. However, the conclusions of different studies are inconsistent. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine compliance on mortality in patients with sepsis.

Methods: A search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted on 1 June 2024. The risk ratio (RR) was pooled with a 95% confidence interval (CI) for dichotomous data. The publications were subjected to a review in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Cochrane Handbook and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). This study has been registered with INPLASY (number INPLASY202460086).

Results: A total of 356 patients were included in four randomized controlled trials. The results indicated that L-carnitine supplementation was not associated with 28-day mortality in sepsis patients (RR: 0.65; 95% CI 0.33-1.28; I² = 70%; P = 0.21). And there was no significant effect on 12-month mortality (RR: 0.72; 95% CI 0.47-1.11; I² = 0%; P = 0.14) compared to placebo.

Conclusions: The use of L-carnitine was not found to be significantly correlated with 28-day or 12-month mortality in patients with sepsis.