[Effect of qingre quyu granule on the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque of carotid artery in patients with stable coronary artery disease].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of qingre quyu granule (QQG) for treatment of carotid vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque (CVAP) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).


METHODS
Eighty-two CHD patients with stable exertional angina, complicated with CVAP and differentiated to phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome type were randomly assigned to two groups equally, the test group treated by Western medical routine therapy combined with QQG, and the control group treated with Western medical routine therapy with placebo. Using high frequency ultrasonography, the number (complex and simple) and Crouse integral of CVAP and the intima-media membranous thickness of carotid artery were measured, and changes in serum levels of CD40L and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), liver and renal functions were observed.


RESULTS
After treatment, significant improvement were shown in the test group in terms of complex plaques' number, Crouse integral, intima-media thickness and serum levels of CD40L and hs-CRP as compared with that before treatment, also with those in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). No adverse reaction was found in the treatment course.


CONCLUSIONS
QQG has certain stabilizing action on CVAP in patients with CHD.
Cheng
Wen-li
WL
Department of National Integrative Medicine Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital of Ministry of Public Health, Beijing.
Wang
Yong
Y
Cai
Zhe
Z
D000328:Adult; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C000604567:qingre quyu