Observation on Efficacy of Nuanxin Capsules Combined with Conventional Western Medicine in the Treatment of Ischemic Heart Failure of Yang Deficiency Type and Its Effects on Serum Levels of VEGF-C, sVEGFR-3, and sST2
Abstract:Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Nuanxin Capsules combined with conventional western medicine in the treatment of ischemic heart failure of yang deficiency type,and to explore its effects on serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C),soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (sVEGFR-3), and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2( sST2). Methods:A total of 51 patients with ischemic heart failure of yang deficiency type admitted to the Department of Cardiovascular, Dade Road General Hospital, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from April to November 2021 were enrolled. They were randomly divided into a control group (24 cases) and a treatment group (27 cases) using the random number table method and envelope method. After 2 cases dropped out from the control group and 1 case was excluded from the treatment group,22 cases in the control group and 26 cases in the treatment group were finally included. Both groups received standardized western medical treatment for ischemic heart failure,while the treatment group additionally received Nuanxin Capsules. The treatment duration was three months. The clinical efficacy , changes in serum levels of VEGF-C , sVEGFR-3, sST2, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP),left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF),traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score, and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score were observed before and after treatment. Safety evaluation was also conducted. Results: After treatment, the improvement rate of New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification in the treatment group was 65.38% (17/26), compared to 54.55% (12/22) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the VEGF-C level in the treatment group decreased compared to before treatment (P<0.05), but showed no statistically significant difference compared to the control group (P>0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in the VEGF-C level in the control group before and after treatment (P>0.05). After treatment, the sVEGFR-3 levels in both groups decreased compared to before treatment (P<0.05),and the sVEGFR-3 level in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, sST2 levels in both groups decreased compared to before treatment, and the sST2 level in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). After treatment, NT-proBNP levels in both groups decreased compared to before treatment (P<0.05), and LVEF levels increased compared to before treatment (P< 0.05); however, there were no statistically significant differences in NT-proBNP and LVEF levels between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores and MLHFQ scores in both groups decreased compared to before treatment (P<0.05);the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05);there was no statistically significant difference in the MLHFQ score between the two groups( P>0.05). During treatment,no abnormal changes were found in routine blood laboratory parameters,drug-related adverse reactions,or adverse cardiovascular events in either group. Conclusion:Nuanxin Capsules combined with conventional western medicine in the treatment of patients with ischemic heart failure of yang deficiency type can improve cardiac function, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome manifestations, and quality of life,reduce serum levels of VEGF-C,sVEGFR-3,and sST2,demonstrating good medication safety.