Summary of 32 patients with cardiac syndrome X treated by TCM therapy of regulating qi relieving chest stuffiness and promoting blood circulation

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of Liqi Kuanxiong Huoxue method (瘆气宽胸活血, LKH, traditional Chinese medicine, TCM therapeutic method for regulating qi, relieving chest stuffiness and promoting blood circulation) in treating patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX). Methods The prospective, non-randomized controlled study was conducted on 51 selected patients with CSX, who were non-randomly assigned to 2 groups, the treated group treated with LKH in addition to the conventional treatment (32 patients), and the control group treated with conventional treatment (19 patients) like nitrate, diltiazem hydrochloride, etc. The treatment course was 14 days. The changes of such symptoms as angina pectoris, TCM syndrome and indexes of treadmill exercise test before and after treatment were observed. Results After treatment, such symptoms as chest pain and stuffy feeling and palpitation in the treated group were improved more than those in the control group (P<0.05); the total effective rate on angina pectoris and TCM syndrome in the treated group was better than that in the control group (P<0.05). The treadmill exercise test showed that the maximal metabolic equivalent (Max MET), the time of angina onset and ST segment depression by 0.1 mV were obviously improved after treatment in both groups, but the improvement in the treated group was better than that in the control group respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion The LKH method could reduce the frequency of angina attacks and improve the clinical condition of patients with CSX. Supported by the Priority Project of Tianjin Science Technical Commission (No. 05YFGDSF02200) and the Yan De-xin Foundation Project (No. 05-012)