Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of tongxinluo capsule for coronary heart disease. Methods Both the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs of tongxinluo capsule for coronary heart disease were collected through searching on computer from the following databases, The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2010), PubMed (2000 to April 2010), WanFang Data (1996 to April 2010), CNKI (1994 to April 2010) and VIP (1989 to April 2010). The trials selection based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, data extraction, cross check and quality assessment were conducted by two reviewers independently, and meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 13 studies involving 1 496 participants were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that: compared with the nitrate esters group, the tongxinluo capsule group had a better curative effect on the coronary heart disease than isosorbide dinitrate (RR=0.50, 95%CI 0.36 to 0.70) and isosorbide mononitrate (RR=0.19, 95%CI 0.12 to 0.30); there was significant difference in the total curative effect between the two groups (RR=0.34, 95%CI 0.26 to 0.44, Plt;0.000 01); the tongxinluo capsule was also better in improving the ECG than isosorbide dinitrate (RR=0.55, 95%CI 0.46 to 0.66) and isosorbide mononitrate (RR=0.58, 95%CI 0.48 to 0.70); there was significant difference in the total ECG improvement between the two groups (RR=0.56, 95%CI 0.49 to 0.64, Plt;0.000 01); the tongxinluo capsule group had a lower incidence rate of adverse reaction than the nitrate esters group with a significant difference (RR=0.33, 95%CI 0.20 to 0.53, Plt;0.000 01). Conclusion The present evidence indicates that tongxinluo capsule is not inferior to isosorbide dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate in improving the curative effect and ECG, and it has fewer adverse reactions. More well-designed and large scale multi-centered RCTs are required with longer follow-up time to confirm this conclusion.
Objective To investigate the current situation of clinical studies on puerarin for angina pectoris and assess whether it is adequate to provide evidence for clinical practiice. Methods We collected all the published clinical studies on puerarin for angina pectoris from 1966 to October 2003, and assessed all the included reports according to international clinical epidemiological standard. Results 106 RCTs, 8 non-randomized controlled studies and 24 case series were included and analyzed. 126 studies reported diagnosis criteria, 10 desccribed inclusion criteria; 3 studies were quasi-random, 1 double blind, 4 single blind; no study reported follow-up; 117 studies reported adverse effects. Conclusions Currently the quality of studies on puerarin for angina pectoris is not good enough to provide reliable evidence for clinical practice.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xueshuantong combined with conventional western medicine for angina pectoris in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. MethodsWe searched the Cochrane Library (2013.12), Medline (2013.10), EMbase (unlimited-2013.10), China Nation Knowledge Infrastructure (unlimited-2013.10) and the Wanfang Database (unlimitied-2013.10), Weipu Database (unlimited-2013.10), and CBM (unlimited-2013.10) on computers for parallel group randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Xueshuantong and placebo for patients with angina pectoris. Three researchers selected the trials based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and then extracted the data, assessed the quality of each trial independently. After cross checking, the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.1 software was used to perform Meta-analysis. ResultsThirteen RCTs and a total of 1 298 participants were involved. Meta-analysis showed that Xueshuantong combined with the conventional western medicine had better curative effect on angina pectoris for CHD than conventional therapy; stable angina pectoris [RR=1.24, 95%CI (1.12, 1.37), P<0.000 1]; unstable angina pectoris [RR=1.22, 95%CI (1.15, 1.29), P<0.000 01]. There was also significant difference in total curative effect between the two groups [RR=1.22, 95%CI (1.16, 1.29), P<0.000 01]. Xueshuantong also had better curative effect on improving performance of electrocardiogtram (ECG): stable angina pectoris [RR=1.30, 95%CI (1.11, 1.51), P=0.000 8]; unstable angina pectoris [RR=1.18, 95%CI (1.10, 1.28), P<0.000 1]. There was also significant difference in total curative effect on improving performance of ECG between the two groups [RR=1.21, 95%CI (1.13, 1.29), P<0.000 01]. But there was no significant difference in adverse effects rate between the two groups [RR=4.50, 95%CI (0.99, 20.53), P=0.05]. ConclusionCompared with conventional therapy, Xueshuantong combined with conventional western medicine has better curative effect with improved performance of ECG. The adverse effect rate between the two groups is not significantly different. But because of the small scale, inferior quality, and bias risk of these trials, large-scale, rational designed, multicenter RCTs are needed to confirm our conclusions.
Objective To evaluate the effects of emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (ECABG) in the treatment of emergent patients, and to summarize our experience. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 160 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Command from January 2010 through December 2013. The patients were divided into an ECABG group (operation underwent on the day diagnosed, n=27, 22 males and 5 females, at age of 70.2±10.2 years) and a conventional group (CABG operation underwent on 5 days after diagnosed, n=133, 104 males and 29 females, at age of 66.3±8.9 years). Results Statistical differences were found between the ECABG group and the conventional group in EuroSCORE (5.8±3.2 versus 3.4±2.1, P=0.001), acute myocardial infarction (33.3% vs. 11.3%, P=0.007), rate of application of IABP (29.6% versus 12.0%, P=0.034), pericardium and mediastinal tube drainage (533.4±132.8 ml versus 414.8±124.3 ml, P=0.018). There was no statistical difference in continuous renal replacement therapy (P=0.677), postoperative sternal wound complication (P=1.000), the length of hospital stay (P=0.589), or 30-day-mortality (P=0.198) between the two groups. We followed up 24 patients(88.89%) for 3-36 months in the ECABG group. One patient occurred angina symptoms at the end of 1 year follow-up. The symptoms disappeared after treatment. The other patients had no symptoms of angina pectoris and myocardial ischemia. Conclusion ECABG as a lifesaving therapy is an effective procedure in the treatment of severe and acute patients. Sufficient preoperative assessment, good myocardial protection, full revascularization, and comprehensive treatment plays an important role in the success of ECABG.
Coronary heart disease is the second leading cause of death worldwide. As a preventable and treatable chronic disease, early screening is of great importance for disease control. However, previous screening tools relied on physician assistance, thus cannot be used on a large scale. Many facial features have been reported to be associated with coronary heart disease and may be useful for screening. However, these facial features have limitations such as fewer types, irregular definitions and poor repeatability of manual judgment, so they can not be routinely applied in clinical practice. With the development of artificial intelligence, it is possible to integrate facial features to predict diseases. A recent study published in the European Heart Journal showed that coronary heart disease can be predicted using artificial intelligence based on facial photos. Although this work still has some limitations, this novel technology will be promise for improving disease screening and diagnosis in the future.
Master protocol is a great transformation of clinical trials with complete research network, reasonable design and innovative statistical analysis methods. It is a highly efficient new model of clinical trials which could obtain more medical information with less clinical resources. Clinical researches in the field of oncology using master protocol have already made delightful achievements. This paper introduces the design of clinical trials on angina pectoris of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction and heart failure for instance and discusses the application of master protocol to clinical researches of Traditional Chinese Medicine combined with the differentiation of syndromes and treatments. We expect to provide new ideas and methods for the design of master protocol on diseases with similary syndrome pattern series of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Objective To discuss left ventricular reconstruction methods and effectivness in patients with left ventricular aneurysm after myocardial infarction. Methods Between June 2003 and August 2008, 23 patients with left ventricular aneurysm after myocardial infarction were treated. Of them, 13 were male and 10 were female with an average age of 61.2 years (range, 47-74 years). According to New York Heart Association (NYHA) criteria for cardiac function, there were 3 cases of grade I, 6 cases of grade II, 10 cases of grade III, and 4 cases of grade IV. The coronary arteriongraphy showed singlevesseldisease in 2 cases, double-vessel disease in 5 cases, triple-vessel disease in 16 cases. The locations of ventricular aneurysm were the apex cordis in 18 cases, antetheca and parieslateral is in 4 cases, and interior wall in 1 case. The left ventricular ejection fraction was 36.52%± 12.15%, and left ventricular diastol ic final diameter was (62.30 ± 6.52 ) mm. Nine patients received standard l inear repair, 6 patients received standard l inear repair after endocardial ring shrinkage, and 8 patients received patch suture after endocardial ring shinkage. Results Two cases died perioperatively, and re-thoracotomy was performed to stop bleeding in 1 case. Incisions healed by first intention in the other patients without early compl ication. Twentyone patients were followed up 7-48 months (median, 19 months). At 6 months after surgery, the left ventricular ejection fraction 46.52% ± 9.41% were significanly improved when compared with that at preoperation (t=2.240, P=0.023); the left ventricular diastol ic final diameter (52.23 ± 5.11) mm were significantly decreased when compared with that at preoperation (t=2.170, P=0.035). The cardiac function according to NYHA criteria was at grade I in 8 cases and at grade II in 13 cases. One patient died of cerebral hemorrhage at 18 months after operation and the activities of daily l iving recoverd in the others. Conclusion Individual theraputic methods are used according to patients’ different conditions for left ventricular aneurysm after myocardial infarction.
Objective To investigate the current situation of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on compound salvia pellet (CSP) for angina pectoris and assess whether there is adequate evidence for clinical practice. Methods We collected all the published clinical studies on CSP for angina pectoris from 1994 to December 2005, and assessed each included report using the Jadad scale, the revised CONSORT statement and other self-edited items. Results We finally identified 115 RCTs. Among which, 1 scored 3 points, 6 scored 2 points, 106 scored 1 points and 2 socred 0 points. No RCT performed allocation concealment according to the CONSORT criteria, only 4 RCTs (3.5%) described the generation of the randomization sequence, among which 2 were quasi-randomized. No RCT provided randomization implementation,1 RCT (0.9%) carried out placebo control, 1 RCT (0.9%) reported endpoint, 9 RCTs (7.8%) adopted single blinding, 4 RCTs (3.5%) reported double blinding, 11 RCTs (9.6%) calculated statistical values, 2 RCTs (1.7%) provided the record of follow-up, 1 RCT (0.9%) reported negative outcome, 25 RCTs (21.8%) described adverse events, no RCT described how the sample size was estimated, and how an intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis and correlation analysis were reported, 1 RCT (0.9%) was multi-center, no RCT completed ethical approval and informed consent, 27 RCTs (23.5%) described syndrome type of TCM. Conclusion Currently, the methodology and reporting of studies on CSP for angina pectoris are not good enough to provide reliable evidence for clinical practice.
To declare the clinical value of lowing serum LDL-C level in coronary heart disease by reviewing the history of its clinical trials in the last 4 decades.
Objective To investigate the changes and significance of serum inflammatory factors in coronary heart disease ( CHD) patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome ( OSAHS) , and the treatment effects of continuous positive airway pressure( CPAP) . Methods A total of 76 CHD patients in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from October 2007 to October 2008 were enrolled. Polysomnography ( PSG) was performed in these CHD patients to identify if they were complicated by OSAHS. The levels of inflammatory factors including TNF-α, IL-6, high sensitive C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP) in serum were determined in the CHD patients and 23 normal subjects. The CHD patients with moderate-severe OSAHS ( AHI≥15 episodes/hour) were treated by Auto-CPAP for 3 months and all parameters above were measured again. Results There were 41 /76 ( 53. 9% ) of CHD patients had moderate-severe OSAHS and were treated with CPAP. The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and hs-CRP were significantly higher in the CHD patients than those in the normal controls ( all P lt; 0. 01) , and were significantly higher in moderate-severe OSAHS patients than those in the non-OSAHS CHD patients. Auto-CPAP ventilation significantly decreased the levels of inflammatory factors in the CHD patients with moderate-severe OSAHS. Conclusions An obvious proinflammatory state is detected in CHD patients, and is aggravated with OSAHS. CPAP is a useful treatment for CHD patients with mediate to severe OSAHS.