The Clinical Study On Ginseng-astragalus Cardio Pills In Treating Heart Failures

ObjectiveThe present research is an attempt to explore the curative effects, any possible side effects and probable mechanism of Ginseng-Astragalus Cardio Pills in treating heart failures. The research is expected to yield an effective, hypotoxic and easily acceptable medicine and pave the way for further development of new medicines.MethodsThe research involved randomized, double blind, perspective and small-sample clinical trials. The 60 heart failure patients from the cardiology ward, outpatient department, emergency treatment ward and rescue room of Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital were selected in accordance with the research criteria and were divided into randomized and double blind 2 groups. The treatment group of 30 patients were treated under Western Medicine standards plus 6 grams of Ginseng-Astragalus Cardio Pills administered orally 3 times daily; the control group of 30 patients were treated under Western Medicine standards plus 6 grams of placebo administered orally 3 times daily. The course of treatment was 4 weeks for each group. General curative effects were observed and readings were taken concerning LVEF, C0,6MWT and BNP before and after the treatment. Other factors concurrently monitored include the patients’symptoms, tongue images, pulse patterns, blood pressures, heart rates and respiratory rates. Examinations were also conducted before and after the treatment in terms of three routine tests, heart, liver and kidney functions, electrolyte, and conventional 12 lead ECG to find out the potential side effects.ResultsIn the treatment group, the treatment of heart failures was found notably effective in 8 patients (26.7%), effective in 20 patients (66.7%) and ineffective in 2 patients (6.7%), which renders a total effective rate of 93.3%. In the control group, the treatment of heart failures was found notably effective in 6 patients (20%), effective in 12 patients (40%), ineffective in 10 patients (40%), which renders a total effective rate of 60.0%. The comparison of differences between the 2 groups presents a statistical significance (P<0.05). For both groups, the LVEF, CO and 6MWT readings after the treatment were notably lifted and the BNP readings notably lowered. The comparison between readings before and after the treatment is of statistical significance (P<0.05). The comparison of differences between the 2 groups in terms of LVEF,6MWT, CO and BNP readings after the treatment is also of statistical significance (P<0.05). For both groups before and after the treatment, notable uncomfortable symptoms and physical signs were not found and notable changes in three routine tests, heart, liver and kidney functions, electrolyte, and ECG were not recorded.ConclusionGinseng-Astragalus Cardio Pills proved significantly effective in treating heart failures and improving clinical symptoms. It was found capable of lifting the LVEF and CO readings with improved hemodynamics and increasing the 6MWT reading with improved exercise tolerance and in turn the patients’ quality of life. It also remarkably lowered the BNP reading, which not only helps identify and diagnose heart failures, but also serves as a strong prognostic indicator. It signifies that the product is capable of remarkably improving heart failure patients’ long-term prognosis without toxic and side effects. As a result, the product is potential to become a medicine which is highly effective, hypotoxic and easily acceptable by the patients, and thus worthwhile for further studies and promotion.