1.
A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study of the effects of qili qiangxin capsules in patients with chronic heart failure.
Li, X, Zhang, J, Huang, J, Ma, A, Yang, J, Li, W, Wu, Z, Yao, C, Zhang, Y, Yao, W, et al
Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2013;(12):1065-1072
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of qili qiangxin capsules in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). BACKGROUND Qili qiangxin capsules are a traditional Chinese medicine that has been approved in China for the treatment of CHF, but the evidence supporting its efficacy remains unclear. METHODS A total of 512 patients with CHF were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive the placebo or qili qiangxin capsules in addition to their standard medications for the treatment of CHF. The primary endpoint was the reduction or percent change in the plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level during 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS At the 12-week follow-up, a significant reduction in the NT-proBNP level from baseline was observed in both groups, but the qili qiangxin capsule group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction than the placebo group (p = 0.002); 47.95% of patients in the qili qiangxin capsule group demonstrated reductions in NT-proBNP levels of at least 30% compared with 31.98% of patients in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Treatment with qili qiangxin capsules also demonstrated superior performance in comparison to the placebo with respect to New York Heart Association functional classification, left ventricular ejection fraction, 6-min walking distance, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS On a background of standard treatment, qili qiangxin capsules further reduced the levels of NT-proBNP. Together, our data suggest that qili qiangxin capsules could be used in combination therapy for CHF.
2.
B-type natriuretic peptide for prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with heart failure undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
Zhang, J, Fu, X, Jia, X, Fan, X, Gu, X, Li, S, Wu, W, Fan, W, Su, J, Hao, G, et al
Acta radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden : 1987). 2010;(6):641-8
Abstract
BACKGROUND Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired renal failure and increase in the mortality and length of hospital stay after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). PURPOSE To evaluate the protective effect of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) on CIN in patients with heart failure undergoing PCI. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, 149 consecutive acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with heart failure undergoing primary PCI received recombinant human BNP (rhBNP) or placebo from the time of admission to 24 h after PCI. Serum creatinine (SCr) levels were measured to evaluate the protective effect of rhBNP on renal function. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated by the simplified modification of diet in renal disease study equation. CIN was defined as a postprocedure peak increase in SCr of >0.5 mg/dl or >25% from baseline. RESULTS The baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. The SCr significantly increased after PCI, with the peak value at 48 h, and then began to decrease. At day 7 after PCI, the SCr had lowered to the baseline level in the BNP group, but it failed to do so in the control group. At 24, 48, and 72 h and 7 days after PCI, the SCr was lower in the BNP group than that in the control group. The eGFR decreased significantly after PCI, with the lowest value at 48 h, and then it began to increase. The eGFR after PCI was higher in the rhBNP group than that in the control group. The occurrence of CIN was significantly lower in the rhBNP group than in the control group. CONCLUSION Periprocedural use of BNP could further promote the recovery of renal function and decrease the occurrence of CIN compared with routine treatment alone in patients with heart failure undergoing primary PCI.