Clinical Safety and Efficacy of Wenxin Keli-Amiodarone Combination on Heart Failure Complicated by Ventricular Arrhythmia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate possible adverse effects and efficacy of Wenxin keli (WXKL)-amiodarone combination on heart failure complicated by ventricular arrhythmia.Methods: Nine electronic literature databases (the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, IPA, AMED, CBM, CNKI, VIP, and WanFang) were searched up to February 2018. Two authors extracted data and assessed risk of bias of the included studies independently. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs about WXKL-amiodarone combination and amiodarone alone were eligible for comparison.Results: Thirteen trials involving 1,126 patients were included. Risk of bias was assessed as high in three studies and unclear in the remaining 10 studies. Six trials reported adverse events (AE). There was no obvious difference between WXKL-amiodarone combination group and amiodarone group in reported AEs (OR 0.64; 95%CI 0.39–1.07). The total effective rate of WXKL-amiodarone combination group was greater than that of amiodarone group (RR 1.22; 95%CI 1.16–1.29). The pooled results showed that the combination group was more effective in reducing heart rate (MD −2.25; 95%CI −2.61 to −1.88, P = 0.46, I2 = 0%), the frequency of ventricular premature complexes (MD −2.03; 95%CI −2.41 to −1.65) and QT dispersion (MD 5.59; 95%CI 3.60–7.58).Conclusion: The WXKL-amiodarone combination is safe and shows more protective effects on heart failure combined with ventricular arrhythmia compared with amiodarone alone. Further research is warranted, ideally involving large, prospective, rigorous trials, in order to confirm these findings.

Therapeutic Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Cardiovascular Diseases: the Central Role of Calcium Signaling

“…WXKL prevented dysregulation of the I NaL , sodium-calcium exchanger current (I NCX ) and Ca 2+ overload induced by ischemia-reperfusion and protected cardiomyocytes from arrhythmia and death (Luo et al, 2017). Some clinical studies have found that WXKL can reduce heart rate, improve heart failure, and relieve heart failure complications (Zheng et al, 2018;Chen et al, 2014). Shensong Yangxin (SSYX) is composed of extracts from 12 herbs, including Panax ginseng, Ophiopogon japonicus, Cornus officinalis, etc.…”

Protective effects of Wenxin Keli against cardiac arrhythmias (Review)

“…Based on a systematic review and meta-analysis on 13 studies published in Chinese, WXKL plus amiodarone combination group was shown to be superior in total effective rate, heart function and reduction in PVCs compared to amiodarone alone. WXKL downregulates genes associated with inflammation, neurohumoral system and apoptosis (53,54).…”

Integrated Pharmacogenetics Analysis of the Three Fangjis Decoctions for Treating Arrhythmias Based on Molecular Network Patterns

“…Notably, fangjis prescriptions have a long history of use and their effectiveness has been previously verified in clinical settings (7)(8)(9). Fangjis possess "multitarget, multipathway" traits, which are not only beneficial in combatting complex diseases and flexible phenotypes, but also allow personalized treatment plans to be designed in accordance with genetic characteristics of an individual patient.…”