Effect of Herbal Detoxification and Reverse Diet Treatment on the Mortality Rate of CAD Patients

Abstract

Background: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) has metabolic disorders at its core etiology. Ayurvedic-based Panchkarma treatment has previously been reported to have reversed CAD-related conditions and improved the quality of life post-treatment. Objectives: The current study was designed to determine the effectiveness of Ayurvedic-based Panchkarma treatment as assessed by the mortality and rehospitalization rate. Methods: This was a multicenter cohort study carried out between August 2017 and August 2020 in India. The study enrolled known CAD patients (stable at rest). The study therapy included a three-step Panchkarma treatment and a low-calorie high-protein diet kit for 12 months and was monitored for up to 36 months. The hazard ratios for different risk factors including – age, body mass index (BMI), weight, diabetic status, and blood pressure were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model and the actual number of deaths that occurred over the study period (24 months and 36 months) were recorded. Results: The study included 572 known CAD patients (78.67% of males and 21.33% of females) within the age group of 60.22 ± 10.89 years (mean ± standard deviation). Complete compliance to study therapy was recorded whereas ~15%–25% of patients were unable to follow the dietary modifications. The overall mortality rate was found to be 5.07%. BMI, weight, diabetes, and blood pressure were modified during the treatment which may have led low mortality rate. Statistically, age was the only risk factor that showed significance in determining overall survival. The total number of cases of rehospitalization during the study period was 52 (9.09%) patients. Conclusion: Our study concluded that the Panchakarma-based treatment is beneficial in reducing risk factors such as BMI, diabetes, and blood pressure in known CAD patients, thus lowering the mortality and rehospitalization rate posttreatment.