The Effects of Wenxin Keli on P-Wave Dispersion and Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Chen, Yu; Nie, Shaoping; Gao, Hai; Sun, Tao; Liu, Xiaoqiu; Teng, Fei; Xing, Yanhui; Chen, Wen; Zhang, Zhenpeng; Gao, Yonghong; Wang, Jie; Xing, Yanwei; Shang, Hongcai

doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/245958

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

On this page

Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Acknowledgments References Copyright Related Articles

Special Issue

GAP: From Sound Design to Practical Implementation in Clinical Trials for Traditional Chinese Medicine

View this Special Issue

Review Article | Open Access

Volume 2013 | Article ID 245958 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/245958

The Effects of Wenxin Keli on P-Wave Dispersion and Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Yu Chen,^1,2Shaoping Nie,³Hai Gao,³Tao Sun,³Xiaoqiu Liu,²Fei Teng,¹Yanhui Xing,⁴Wen Chen,¹Zhenpeng Zhang,¹Yonghong Gao,⁵Jie Wang,¹and Yanwei Xing¹ et al.

Academic Editor: Boli Zhang

Received18 Jul 2013

Accepted15 Oct 2013

Published04 Dec 2013

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the beneficial and adverse effects of Wenxin Keli (WXKL), alone or combined with Western medicine, on P-wave dispersion (Pd) and maintenance of sinus rhythm for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Methods. Seven major electronic databases were searched to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of WXKL, alone or combined with Western medicine, for PAF, with Pd or maintenance rate of sinus rhythm as the main outcome measure. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using criteria from the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions, version 5.1.0, and analysed using RevMan 5.1.0 software. Results. Fourteen RCTs of WXKL were included. The methodological quality of the trials was generally evaluated as low. The results of meta-analysis showed that WXKL, alone or combined with Western medicine, was more effective in Pd and the maintenance of sinus rhythm, compared with no medicine or Western medicine alone, in patients with PAF or PAF complicated by other diseases. Seven of the trials reported adverse events, indicating that the safety of WXKL is still uncertain. Conclusions. WXKL, alone or combined with Western medicine, appears to be more effective in improving Pd as well as maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with PAF and its complications.

1. Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia contributing to an epidemic of cardiovascular disease that has emerged in the new millennium. It is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. The advent of catheter ablation for patients with AF has provided new insights into the relative contribution of AF to left ventricular dysfunction [1]. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) has the tendency to develop into persistent atrial fibrillation and permanent atrial fibrillation, so the longer the duration of AF, the greater the difficulty of the treatment [2]. AF and heart failure (HF) often coexist [3]. AF patients with HF, particularly patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction, experience heavy symptom and hospitalization burdens and have relatively low rates of AF control. So, more studies are needed to identify ways to improve the management and treatment outcomes of this very high-risk patient population.

P-wave dispersion (Pd) and P maximum (Pmax) are new concepts proposed by Dilaveris et al. in 1998 that are simple electrocardiographic markers that can be used for the prediction of idiopathic PAF. The increase of Pd and Pmax is an important indicator of subsequent attacks of PAF and the tendency towards persistent atrial fibrillation [4]. Observational study had investigated the predictive power of P-wave dispersion (PWD) for the incidence of postcardiac surgery AF [5]. It determined that minimum P-wave duration, PWD, and low ejection fraction can be used for patient risk stratification of AF after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. These years P maximum/P dispersion and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-C-reactive protein) also have been proposed as useful markers for predicting the history and recurrence of AF [6]. It indicated that subclinical inflammation may be associated with delayed/inhomogeneous atrial activation in hypertensive patients affected by AF.

Despite the fact that the use of radiofrequency and cryoablation has made significant progress, antiarrhythmic drug therapy for AF is still the preferred option for controlling heart rate [7]. The curative effect of pure Western medicine on PAF is still unsatisfactory. During long-term Western medicine treatment, typical side effects accrue [8]. Therefore, it is particularly necessary to explore traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of PAF and to give full consideration to the role of Chinese medicine in PAF treatment. The clinical achievements of the past 30 years have indicated that integrative medicine, which builds on the combination of both Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, has made tremendous contributions for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and human health care [9].

Wenxin Keli (WXKL) is a pure Chinese medicine, developed by Guang’anmen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, that has a moderate antiarrhythmic effect. Studies have shown that it can significantly improve patient heart palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath, fatigue, insomnia, and other symptoms and that it can have a significant effect on controlling a variety of arrhythmias, right ventricular contractions, atrial premature contractions, AF, and sinus tachycardia. It is safe, reliable, has no side effects, and is appropriate for long-term use [10]. WXKL is reported to be effective in the treatment of atrial and ventricular cardiac arrhythmias. Data provided support for the hypothesis that WXKL, particularly in combination with quinidine, effectively suppresses arrhythmogenesis in an experimental model of Brugada syndrome via inhibition of Ito and indirect adrenergic sympathomimetic effects [11]. The latest study indicated that Wenxin Keli could suppress atrial substrate remodelling after epicardial ganglionic plexi ablation [12].

Currently, WXKL combined with antiarrhythmic drugs, a new integrative medicine therapy, has been widely used as an alternative and effective method for AF in China. A large number of clinical studies reported the clinical effect of WXKL and WXKL combined with antiarrhythmic drugs. And, until now, a large number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case series have been published but have not been evaluated according to the PRISMA systematic review standard. And the predictive value of Pd on PAF in patients treated with WXKL has not been determined. Understanding the effect of WXKL on Pd and maintenance rate of sinus rhythm could be valuable for the management of PAF. Therefore, this study aims to assess the current clinical evidence of WXKL combined with antiarrhythmic drugs for PAF and seeks to identify the relationship between Pd and PAF in patients treated with WXKL and evaluate the efficacy and safety of WXKL for the treatment of PAF.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Database and Search Strategies

The literature search was conducted using the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBMdisc), the Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), Wanfang Database, EMbase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library. The search concluded in May, 2013. Other relative research papers were searched by hand. The following search terms were used individually or in combination: “Wenxin Keli,” “Wenxinkeli,” “Wenxin Granules,” “Wenxin Granule,” “atrial fibrillation,” “auricular fibrillation,” and “randomized controlled trial.” The bibliographies of the included studies were searched for additional references.

2.2. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

All RCTs of patients with PAF that studied prescriptions based on WXKL, alone or combined with Western medicine, compared with no medicine or Western medicine alone were included. There were no restrictions on language, population characteristics, and publication type. The primary outcome measure was Pd or maintenance of sinus rhythm, and the secondary outcome measure was adverse drug reaction (ADR). Duplicated publications reporting the same groups of participants were excluded.

2.3. Data Extraction and Quality Assessment

Two authors independently conducted the literature search, literature screening, and data extraction. The extracted data included the title of the study, authors, year of publication, article source, study size, total number of cases, grouping, diagnosis standard, details of methodological information, and treatment process as well as the details of the control interventions, outcomes, and adverse effects for each study. Disagreement was resolved by discussion, and consensus was reached through a third party. The methodological quality of included trials was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions, Version 5.1.0 [13], to address the following seven criteria: random sequence generation (selection bias), allocation concealment (selection bias), blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias), blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias), incomplete outcome data (attrition bias), selective outcome reporting (reporting bias), and other sources of bias. The quality of all included trials was categorised as low, unclear, or high risk of bias (“Yes” indicates a low risk of bias, “No” indicates a high risk of bias, and “Unclear” is otherwise). Then the included trials were sorted into three categories: low risk of bias (all of the criteria were rated as having low risk of bias), unclear risk of bias (at least one item was unclear), or high risk of bias (at least one item was at a high risk of bias).

2.4. Data Synthesis

RevMan 5.1.0 software provided by the Cochrane Collaboration was used for data analyses. Dichotomous data were expressed as relative risk (RR) and continuous outcomes were presented as weighted mean difference (WMD), while 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for both. Meta-analysis was performed if the intervention, control, and outcomes were the same or similar. The statistical heterogeneity was presented as significant when the square () value exceeded 50% or . In the absence of significant heterogeneity, we pooled data using fixed effects model (%); otherwise we used random effects model (%) [13]. Publication bias would be explored using funnel plot analysis if a sufficient number of studies were found.

3. Results

3.1. Description of the Included Trials

After the primary search of the seven databases both in Chinese and English, 612 articles were retrieved: Cochrane Library (), PubMed (), Embase (), CNKI (), VIP (), CBMdisc (), and Wanfang (). The majority were excluded because some papers were found in more than one database and some included irrelevant titles and abstracts. Only 231 studies were retrieved. Following reviews of the titles and abstracts, several studies were excluded, and only 209 studies remained. Six trials were excluded because of duplicated publication, four trials were excluded for being animal studies, and the twelve trials were excluded for being nonclinical trials, including case reports and traditional reviews. In the end, 195 out of the remaining 209 articles were excluded based on the inclusion criteria, which left fourteen RCTs to be reviewed [14–27]. The screening process is summarised in a flow chart (Figure 1). All of the trials were conducted in China and published in Chinese. The characteristics of the fourteen RCTs are summarised in Table 1.

The fourteen RCTs involved a total number of 1180 patients with PAF. Only three trials [18, 21, 27] specified diagnostic criteria of PAF. Of those three trials, two [18, 21] used an international consensus on nomenclature and classification of AF developed by the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (ESC-NASPE 2003) and Chinese Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension-2005 (CGMH-2005). The third [27] used ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (ACC/AHA/ESC 2006). The rest of the trials [14–17, 19, 20, 22–26] only demonstrated patients with PAF diagnosis by electrocardiogram and 24-hour Holter without detailed information, and one of the trials [16] used Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension-2005 (CGMH-2005) as the diagnostic criteria for hypertension.

The interventions of all fourteen trials [14–27] included WXKL, alone or combined with Western medicine, as shown in Table 1. The controls included Western medicine alone or no medicine use. The total treatment duration ranged from two months to 24 months. Only four trials [14, 17, 20, 22] specified clinical standards of PAF. Nine of the fourteen trials [14–22] used the Pd as the main outcome measure, and seven of the fourteen trials [19, 21, 23–27] used the maintenance of sinus rhythm as the main outcome measure. Half of the included trials [16–18, 21, 23, 26, 27] described adverse effects in detail.

3.2. Methodological Quality of the Included Trials

The majority of the included RCTs were assessed to be of low methodological quality. According to the predefined quality assessment criteria indicated above, none of the included trials were evaluated as having a low risk of bias as shown in Table 2. Only two [22, 23] of the fourteen trials reported the methodology used to generate the allocation sequence. One [22] stated the method as odd and even numbers, and the other [23] used the table of random numbers method but without any detailed information; therefore, insufficient information was provided to allow quality assessment of the allocation method. Allocation concealment was not mentioned in every included trial. Two trials [17, 22] used the double-blind method to blind participants and personnel, but blinding of outcome assessment was not detailed in all of the trials. Only five trials [17, 18, 21, 26, 27] reported dropout or withdrawal and ten trials [14, 15, 17–19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27] mentioned follow-up. None of the trials calculated an estimation of the pre-trial sample size, which indicated a lack of statistical power to ensure appropriate estimation of the therapeutic effect. Selective reporting was generally unclear in the trials due to the inaccessibility of the protocol. The results of the assessment of risk of bias are presented in Table 2.

3.3. Effects of the Interventions

3.3.1. P-Wave Dispersion

Nine trials [14–22] used the reduction of Pd as an outcome measure. No significant difference in Pd before treatment was observed between the WXKL, alone or combined with Western medicine, group (experimental group) and Western medicine group (control group). This allowed for a comparison of Pd value of the two groups after treatment. Trial results for the nine independent trials were not homogeneous, , , (); %, requiring the use of the random effects model for statistical analysis. The Pd after WXKL, alone or combined with Western medicine, treatment was lower than Western medicine treatment. The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups for each of the three criteria outcome measures (MD: −7.65 [−11.73, −3.56]; ) (Figure 2).

3.3.2. Maintenance Rate of Sinus Rhythm

Seven trials [19, 21, 23–27] used the maintenance rate of sinus rhythm at six months following treatment as an outcome measure. These seven trials compared the combination of WXKL plus Western medicine with Western medicine alone. Trial results for the seven independent trials were homogeneous, , , (); %, requiring the use of the fixed effects model for statistical analysis. The rate of maintenance of sinus rhythm in the WXKL combined with Western medicine group (experimental group) was greater than that of the Western medicine group (control group). The rates of maintenance of sinus rhythm in the two groups were 84.6% and 62.7%, respectively. The meta-analysis showed that there was a significant beneficial effect in the combination group compared with the Western medicine alone group (RR 1.35; 95% CI []; and ) (Figure 3).

3.4. Sensitivity Analysis, Subgroup Analysis, and Publication Bias

To examine the stability of the results, the fixed effects model was used to perform meta-analysis of Pd instead of the random effects model. The random effects model was used instead of the fixed effects model to analyse the maintenance of sinus rhythm. A significant difference was observed in the Pd of the two groups for the three criteria outcome measures (MD: −7.74 [−8.73, −6.75]; ). There was also a significant difference between the WXKL combined with Western medicine group and the Western medicine alone group in the maintenance of sinus rhythm (RR 1.32; 95%CI []; and ). Given that the results of the two methods were consistent, stability was considered to be sufficient. The number of trials was too small to conduct analysis of subgroup analysis and also failed to perform funnel plot to detect publication bias.

3.5. Adverse Effects

Seven out of the included trials [16–18, 21, 23, 26, 27] described adverse effects in detail. One trial [16] mentioned adverse effects in both groups with one case of dry mouth and nausea, and two cases of sinus bradycardia in the WXKL group, two cases of dizziness and nausea, two cases of sinus bradycardia, one case of II atrioventricular block, and one case of Q-T interval prolongation in the amiodarone group. Three trials [17, 26, 27] mentioned specific symptoms, including vomiting, nausea, sinus bradycardia, Q-T interval prolongation, hyperthyroidism, stomach discomfort, and cough in the WXKL combined with amiodarone group and vomiting, nausea, sinus bradycardia, and hyperthyroidism in the amiodarone group. These side effects may be related to the adverse effect of amiodarone. One trial [23] reported adverse effects in the WXKL combined with irbesartan group including sinus bradycardia, mildly abnormal thyroid function, stomach discomfort, and fatigue. None of the adverse events were serious. Two trials [18, 21] reported adverse effects in the WXKL combined with fluvastatin group, including mildly abnormal liver function, which may be an adverse effect of fluvastatin. In total, the incidence of adverse reactions was lower in the treatment group compared with the control group.

4. Discussion

This systematic review included fourteen RCTs with a total of 1180 participants. The main findings of this systematic review were that WXKL combined with Western medicine demonstrated the potential effect of lowering Pd and improving the maintenance of sinus rhythm when compared with Western medicine alone or no treatment. WXKL is an effective treatment for patients with PAF. However, due to the poor methodological quality of the included studies, the evidence remains weak. Thus, the available data are not adequate to draw a definite conclusion of the efficacy of WXKL for PAF, but they provide some encouraging evidence of the effect of WXKL for the treatment of PAF. Nine trials used the reduction of Pd as an outcome measure and trial results for the nine independent trials were not homogeneous. The main source of the heterogeneity may have several aspects. The treatment courses are not the same, the longest is 24 month, while the shortest is 2 month. The dosage and the time of WXKL the patients used were also consistent. Because of different diagnosis standards, different doctors’ diagnosis can make a big difference. So the clinical and methodological source made the heterogeneity of statistics.

AF is one of the most common chronic arrhythmia conditions associated with an adverse prognosis. Many studies show that subjects with AF have markedly reduced survival compared with subjects without AF and that AF is independently associated with a 50% to 90% increase in the risk of death. Therefore, the effective treatment and prevention of AF has important clinical significance [28]. Many studies have shown that atrial electrical remodelling and structural remodelling of AF are the main mechanism for precipitating and maintaining sinus rhythm. Electrical remodelling could shorten atrial refractoriness and contributes to an increase in the stability of AF. Atrial structural remodelling occurs as a result of heart failure and other underlying cardiovascular diseases [29, 30]. The ionic mechanisms underlying this arrhythmogenic process have been elucidated by a number of patch clamp experiments in isolated atrial cells from animal models and patients in chronic AF. The most important impact of AF on the ion channels was a marked reduction in the L-type Ca²⁺ current [31].

AF is a commonly encountered arrhythmia that occurs in patients after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). A study has shown that the preoperative signal averaged ECG (SAECG) Pd was the best predictor of AF after CABG [32]. Pd is an appealing marker for predicting the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. The increase of Pd is a good predictor of the occurrence of PAF and it is also an important electrophysiological cause of AF [33]. However, a study showed that this technique has limited sensitivity and specificity because there is overlap between the wide range of values of Pd, Pmax, and Pmin in healthy individuals that overlaps with those of patients with increased risk for AF. This may stem from methodological issues; therefore, there is a definite need for methodological standardisation of Pd measurements [34]. Most pharmacologic therapies and electrical cardioversion for AF unsuccessfully treat the atrial electrical remodelling and structural remodelling of AF [35], so it is particularly necessary to explore traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of PAF.

WXKL is the first antiarrhythmic Chinese medicine to be approved by the state. It is developed from the application of traditional medicine theory combined with the essence of Chinese and Western medicine theory. It composed of five main components: nardostachys chinensis batal extract, codonopsis, notoginseng, amber, and rhizoma polygonati. A study has shown that WXKL is a novel atrial elective sodium channel blocker and is effective in suppressing AF and preventing its induction [36]. From the included articles, we can see WXKL has significant effect on improving the main symptoms such as headache, dizziness, palpitations, and insomnia. This meta-analysis showed that WXKL combined with Western medicine demonstrated the potential effect of lowering Pd and improving the maintenance of sinus rhythm.

However, this systematic review has the following limitations. Firstly, the quality of the methodology of the RCTs included in this systematic review is generally low. All of the included trials claimed randomisation, but only two of them [22, 23] reported the methodology used to generate the allocation sequence. The other trials mentioned only that “patients were randomized into two groups,” indicating potential selection bias. Two trials [17, 22] mentioned the double-blind method of blinding participants and personnel but did not provide sufficient information for quality assessment, which might lead to potential performance bias and detection bias. Five of the trials [14, 15, 20, 24, 25] were conducted by a single author, which could lead to performance bias. Only five trials [17, 18, 21, 26, 27] reported dropout or withdrawal, but without the intention-to-treat analysis. And ten RCTs [14, 15, 17–19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27] mentioned follow-up. None of trials gave a pretrial estimation of sample size, which could indicate a lack of statistical power to ensure appropriate estimation of the therapeutic effect. It is well known that the trials that are poorly designed methodologically show larger differences compared with rigorously conducted trials. Additionally, all of the trials were conducted in China and published in Chinese, leading to publication bias. All of the RCTs claimed that the positive effect of WXKL combined with Western medicine is better than Western medicine alone or no medicine. While no negative findings have been reported, we cannot eliminate the possibility of the unpublished material.

Secondly, the safety of Chinese herbal medicines is of general concern. Adverse effects were reported in seven out of the fourteen included trials [16–18, 21, 23, 26, 27]. Some adverse effects were not severe and patients spontaneously recovered without special treatment. However, some adverse effects are irreversible. In total, the incidence of adverse reactions was lower in experimental groups compared with the control groups. The other seven trials did not report any adverse effects. Due to the limited evidence provided by the eligible trials, conclusions about the safety of WXKL combined with Western medicine cannot be drawn from this study. In the future, larger-scale clinical trials with long-term follow-up are warranted to properly assess the safety of WXKL therapy.

Thirdly, publication and other biases may play an important role. We only identified and included trials published in Chinese and most of the trials are small sample with positive findings. We tried to avoid language bias and location bias, but we cannot exclude potential publication bias. During the articles assessed for eligibility, we found that the majority was excluded because of no detailed information and the quality of the methodology of the RCTs included in this systematic review is generally low. We recommend that future researchers should follow the basic guidelines for reporting clinical trials conducted with clear TCM diagnostic criteria.

In addition, the currently available antiarrhythmic drugs for PAF suffer from limited safety and efficacy, probably because they were not designed based on specific pathological mechanisms. We should clarify the main pathological mechanisms of AF, understand traditional and novel aspects of antiarrhythmic drugs in relation to these pathological mechanisms, and present potential therapeutic approaches, including restoring abnormal Ca²⁺ handling in AF, structure-based modulation of atrial-specific cardiac ion channels, and targeting atrial remodelling. Moreover, we should continue to expand the cumulative meta-analysis of future trials, especially RCTs, and choose possible predictors of PAF to provide more meaningful clinical indicators for clinicians.

In summary, there is an encouraging evidence of the effect of WXKL, alone or combined with Western medicine, on Pd and the maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with PAF. After treatment with WXKL, there is a significant reduction in Pd in patients with PAF, and the maintenance of sinus rhythm is significantly improved. Due to the poor quality of experimental design and methodology, the evidence remains weak. More rigorous RCTs with strong design and high methodological quality will be needed to present a high level of evidence for the effectiveness of WXKL in treating PAF.

Conflict of Interests

All authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Authors’ Contribution

Yu Chen, Shaoping Nie, Hai Gao, and Tao Sun contributed equally to this paper.

Acknowledgments

The current work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation Project of China (Grant nos. 81001514 and 81373835), the Beijing Nova Program (Grant no. 2011110), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Public Welfare Research Institutes (Grant no. ZZ070802).

References

R. Balasubramaniam and P. M. Kistler, “Atrial fibrillation in heart failure: the chicken or the egg?” Heart, vol. 95, no. 7, pp. 535–539, 2009.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
D.-Y. Hu and J.-G. Yang, “Core treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation in China,” Chinese journal of internal medicine, vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 93–95, 2008.
View at: Google Scholar
J. Silva-Cardoso, O. J. Zharinov, P. Ponikowski et al., “Heart failure in patients with atrial fibrillation is associated with a high symptom and hospitalization burden: the realiseAF survey,” Clinical Cardiology, 2013.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
P. E. Dilaveris, E. J. Gialafos, S. K. Sideris et al., “Simple electrocardiographic markers for the prediction of paroxysmal idiopathic atrial fibrillation,” American Heart Journal, vol. 135, no. 5 I, pp. 733–738, 1998.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
J. M. Hashemi, A. Amirpour, R. Zavvar et al., “Predictive value of P-wave duration and dispersion in post coronary artery bypass surgery atrial fibrillation,” ARYA Atherosclerosis, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 59–62, 2012.
View at: Google Scholar
A. Mazza, M. G. Bendini, M. Cristofori et al., “C-reactive protein and P-wave in hypertensive patients after conversion of atrial fibrillation,” Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, vol. 14, no. 7, pp. 520–527, 2012.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
V. Fuster, L. E. Rydén, D. S. Cannom et al., “2011 ACCF/AHA/HRS focused updates incorporated into the ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines developed in partnership with the European Society of Cardiology and in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society,” Journal of the American College of Cardiology, vol. 57, no. 11, pp. e101–e198, 2011.
View at: Google Scholar
C. Sohns and M. Zabel, “Current role of amiodarone in antiarrhythmic therapy,” Herzschrittmachertherapie und Elektrophysiologie, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 239–243, 2010.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
J. Wang and X. J. Xiong, “Current situation and perspectives of clinical study in integrative medicine in China,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternaivet Medicine, vol. 2012, Article ID 268542, 11 pages, 2012.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
X. C. Liu and Z. Y. Liu, “The efficacy of Buchang wenxin particle for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,” Practical Clinical Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 50–51, 2004.
View at: Google Scholar
Y. Minoura, B. K. Panama, V. V. Nesterenko et al., “Effect of Wenxin Keli and quinidine to suppress arrhythmogenesis in an experimental model of Brugada syndrome,” Heart Rhythm, vol. 10, no. 7, pp. 1054–1062, 2013.
View at: Google Scholar
J. Xiao, Q. Zhao, A. H. Kebbati et al., “Wenxin Keli suppresses atrial substrate remodelling after epicardial ganglionic plexi ablation,” Experimental & Clinical Cardiology, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 153–157, 2013.
View at: Google Scholar
J. P. T. Higgins and S. Green, Cochrane Handbook For Systematic Reviews of Interventions, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2011.
J. D. Cheng, “Clinical observation of Wenxin Keli for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,” Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine, vol. 14, no. 8, pp. 55–56, 2007.
View at: Google Scholar
S. R. Jin, “The effect of Wenxin keli on P wave dispersion and the treatment for the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,” Chinese Journal of Modern Drug Application, vol. 5, no. 12, pp. 92–93, 2011.
View at: Google Scholar
Z. M. Zhang, P. Bai, and J. Z. Lin, “Wenxin Keli combined with ethylamine iodine skin ketone in treating senile hypertension paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,” Chinese Journal of Hypertension, vol. 16, no. 12, pp. 1134–1135, 2008.
View at: Google Scholar
N. Lv, D. Lin, and P. Lin, “Wenxin granule and low dose amiodarone in treating 60 cases of senile parokysmal atrial fibrillation,” Fujian Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 7–8, 2010.
View at: Google Scholar
Y. Dong, L. F. Xing, B. M. Li, and C. J. Tong, “Effect of Wenxin particle combine with fluvastatin on atrial remodelling in essential hypertension patients with atrial fibrillation,” Chinese Journal of Difficult and Complicated Cases, vol. 9, no. 8, pp. 566–568, 2010.
View at: Google Scholar
Y.-J. Yan, Y.-M. Zhang, Y. Lu, S.-Y. Wang, and H.-D. Cui, “Effect of Wenxin-Keli combined with amiodarone on dispersion of P wave and C-reactive protein in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,” Chinese Journal of New Drugs, vol. 20, no. 15, pp. 1432–1434, 2011.
View at: Google Scholar
C. J. Zhang, “Effect of Wenxin granule treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients,” Practical Pharmacy and Clinical Remedies, vol. 15, no. 11, pp. 737–739, 2012.
View at: Google Scholar
J. L. Lu, Y. Dong, and L. F. Xing, “The maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with elderly hypertensive paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and the intervention of Wenxin Keli combined with fluvastatin,” Hebei Medical Journal, vol. 32, no. 24, pp. 3483–3484, 2010.
View at: Google Scholar
M. L. Zhang, S. X. Jing, and H. Y. Zhang, “The effect of Buchangwenxin particle on dispersion of P wave in elder patients with diastolic cardiac dysfunction and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,” Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy, vol. 18, no. 20, pp. 2756–2758, 2011.
View at: Google Scholar
P.-Y. Xie and S.-H. Shen, “Effect of combination of Chinese and Western medicines on sinus rhythm maintenance in patients with auricular fibrillation after conversion,” Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine, vol. 26, no. 7, pp. 644–646, 2006.
View at: Google Scholar
S. Z. Xu, “The study of prevention and curative effect of the valsartan and wenxinkeli on the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,” Practical Clinical Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 6–7, 2008.
View at: Google Scholar
B. Gao, “Clinical observationof Wenxin Keli combined with valsartan on the maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with hypertension with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,” Chinese Community Doctors, vol. 14, no. 7, p. 54, 2012.
View at: Google Scholar
F. C. Li, J. J. Tong, W. Hao, and Z. Ma, “The effect of Wenxin Keli combined with amiodaronefor the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in 32 cases,” Shanxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, vol. 29, no. 7, pp. 839–840, 2008.
View at: Google Scholar
Q. H. Zheng and X. B. Zhang, “The effect of Wenxin Keli combined with amiodarone on the maintenance of sinus rhythm and serum MMP-9 in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,” Guiding Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 36–37, 2013.
View at: Google Scholar
E. J. Benjamin, P. A. Wolf, R. B. D'Agostino, H. Silbershatz, W. B. Kannel, and D. Levy, “Impact of atrial fibrillation on the risk of death: the Framingham Heart Study,” Circulation, vol. 98, no. 10, pp. 946–952, 1998.
View at: Google Scholar
M. Allessie, J. Ausma, and U. Schotten, “Electrical, contractile and structural remodeling during atrial fibrillation,” Cardiovascular Research, vol. 54, no. 2, pp. 230–246, 2002.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
S. Nattel, B. Burstein, and D. Dobrev, “Atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation: mechanisms and implications,” Circulation, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 62–73, 2008.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
L. Yue, J. Feng, R. Gaspo, G.-R. Li, Z. Wang, and S. Nattel, “Ionic remodeling underlying action potential changes in a canine model of atrial fibrillation,” Circulation Research, vol. 81, no. 4, pp. 512–525, 1997.
View at: Google Scholar
K. Aytemir, S. Aksoyek, N. Ozer, S. Aslamaci, and A. Oto, “Atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery: P wave signal averaged ECG, clinical and angiographic variables in risk assessment,” International Journal of Cardiology, vol. 69, no. 1, pp. 49–56, 1999.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
P. E. Dilaveris and J. E. Gialafos, “P-wave dispersion: a novel predictor of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,” Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 159–165, 2001.
View at: Google Scholar
U. Nussinovitch, “Meta-analysis of P-wave dispersion values in healthy individuals: the influence of clinical characteristics,” Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 28–35, 2012.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
A. G. Zaman, M. T. Kearney, C. Schecter, S. G. Worthley, and J. Nolan, “Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors as adjunctive therapy in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation,” American Heart Journal, vol. 147, no. 5, pp. 823–827, 2004.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
A. Burashnikov, A. Petroski, D. Hu, H. Barajas-Martinez, and C. Antzelevitch, “Atrial-selective inhibition of sodium-channel current by Wenxin Keli is effective in suppressing atrial fibrillation,” Heart Rhythm, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 125–131, 2012.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar

Copyright

Copyright © 2013 Yu Chen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

PDF Download Citation

Download other formats

Order printed copies

Views

2591

Downloads

1294

Citations