Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine ›› 2022, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (3): 439-445.DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20220311.003

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effectiveness of Zhuling decoction (猪苓汤) on diuretic resistance in patients with heart failure: a randomized, controlled trial

CHEN Yunhu1(), FAN Lihua1, ZHANG Tao2, LIU Xueqian1   

  1. 1 Department of Cardiovascular, Taicang Hospital affiliated with Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Suzhou 215400, China
    2 Department of Cardiovascular, Changzhou Hospital affiliated with Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou 213003, China
  • Received:2021-06-02 Accepted:2021-09-12 Online:2022-06-15 Published:2022-03-11
  • Contact: CHEN Yunhu
  • About author:CHEN Yunhu, Department of Cardiovascular, Taicang Hospital affiliated with Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Suzhou 215400, China. chenyh_1208@126.com,Telephone: +86-512-53728582

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To test the effects of Zhuling decoction (猪苓汤) on patients with diuretic resistance in heart failure compared with a group of patients undergoing conventional treatment alone.

METHODS: This research was a prospective, randomized, controlled study. From July 2018 to August 2020, 96 diuretic resistance patients from the Cardiovascular Research Center of Taicang Hospital affiliated with Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Grade III Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine) were enrolled in the study. The subjects were randomly divided into an observation group (48 cases) and a control group (48 cases). Patients in both groups received conventional treatment. In addition, observation group patients received Traditional Chinese Medicine Zhuling decoction. The primary endpoint was the urine output mean difference between Day 1 and Day 7 after treatment. Secondary endpoints were the changes over time in the N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). The safety and tolerability of the drug were comprehensively evaluated based on adverse drug reactions, as well as laboratory-assisted tests for liver and kidney function and electrolytes.

RESULTS: Significant improvements were demonstrated for urine output in the two groups at Day 7, with a 1325 vs 1045 mL difference in favor of the observation group (P = 0.018). The observation group also had greater improvements in NT-proBNP and NYHA functional classification changes than the control group. At the 30th day of follow-up, a significant reduction in negative findings on the MLHFQ from baseline was observed in both groups, but the observation group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction than the control group (P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Zhuling decoction could be used in combination therapy for patients with diuretic resistance in heart failure in addition to standard treatment.

Key words: heart failure, diuretic resistance, urine output, treatment outcome, Zhuling decoction, randomized controlled trial

Cite this article

CHEN Yunhu, FAN Lihua, ZHANG Tao, LIU Xueqian. Effectiveness of Zhuling decoction (猪苓汤) on diuretic resistance in patients with heart failure: a randomized, controlled trial[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2022, 42(3): 439-445.