Additional Acupuncture Confers a Favorable Long-Term Prognosis for Elderly Hypertensive Patients with Carotid Atherosclerosis after Atorvastatin Treatment

Abstract

Objective. The purpose of the study is to investigate the clinical efficacy and long-term prognosis of acupuncture (AP) combined with atorvastatin (ATO) in treating senile essential hypertension (EH) complicated with carotid atherosclerosis (CA). Methods. 108 elderly EH patients with CA admitted to our hospital between January 2018 and September 2018 were enrolled into the study, consisting of 67 patients who received treatment of AP with ATO (AP + ATO group) and 41 patients who received treatment of ATO alone (ATO group). Comparative outcomes included clinical efficacy, blood pressure (BP), the levels of blood lipids and inflammatory factors, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), the number of unstable carotid intima plaques, the carotid plaque area, and the incidence of adverse reactions. All patients were followed up for 3 years to evaluate their quality of life and the recurrence rate of CA. Results. The AP + ATO group presented a higher efficacy, a declined BP, and lower posttreatment levels of blood lipids and inflammatory factors than the ATO group ( P < 0.05 ). Reductions were observed in IMT, number of plaques, and plaque area in both groups after treatment, with more significant improvements in the AP + ATO group ( P < 0.05 ). No difference was observed in the incidence of adverse reactions between two groups after treatment ( P > 0.05 ). The follow-up analysis demonstrated a higher SF-36 score and a lower recurrence rate of CA in the AP + ATO group than the ATO group ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion. The findings suggested that, for elderly EH patients with CA, treatment of AP with ATO offers better clinical efficacy and safety, which not only can decline the BP, but also can reduce blood lipids and plaque formation, and improve quality of life.

Effects of amlodipine combined with atorvastatin on Th17/Treg imbalance and vascular microcirculation in hypertensive patients with atherosclerosis: A double-blind, single-center randomized controlled trial

“…It inhibits the synthesis of cholesterol and at the same time increases the expression of LDL receptors in the liver cell membrane, reduces the levels of cholesterol and lipoprotein, and increases liver LDL uptake and catabolism are increased by the number of cell surface LDL receptors. [ 10 ] Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist, which can effectively inhibit the transfer of calcium ions into cardiomyocytes and smooth muscle cells. Our results showed that the combined treatment group after adding amlodipine was significantly better than the single treatment group in improving blood pressure, blood lipids, and overall disease efficacy.…”

“…[ 9 ] Its mechanism of action is to inhibit the rate-limiting enzyme hydroxyglutaryl coenzyme A reductase in the early stage of cholesterol synthesis. [ 10 ] At the same time, it can increase the expression of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors in the liver cell membrane, reduce the levels of cholesterol and lipoprotein, and increase the uptake and catabolism mechanism of LDL by increasing the number of LDL receptors on the surface of liver cells. [ 11 ] In recent years, studies have confirmed that atorvastatin has good curative effect in improving ventricular myocardial function, vascular endothelial cell function and myocardial fibrosis.…”

Acupuncture treatment of essential hypertension

“…Acupuncture and moxibustion, as a traditional treatment method of Chinese medicine, In clinical practice and experimental studies for reducing blood pressure [ 2 ], Protect vascular endothelium [ 3 ], Alleviating cardiac function impairment [ 4 ], Reduce blood lipid and plaque formation [ 5 ], Improve sleep quality and other clinical symptoms showed an irreplaceable role[ 6 ]. Acupuncture is generally accepted as a treatment with few side effects and high safety.…”

Retracted: Additional Acupuncture Confers a Favorable Long‐Term Prognosis for Elderly Hypertensive Patients with Carotid Atherosclerosis after Atorvastatin Treatment

“…Tis article has been retracted by Hindawi, as publisher, following an investigation undertaken by the publisher [1]. Tis investigation has uncovered evidence of systematic manipulation of the publication and peer-review process.…”