Effect of Luhong formula on the cardiac rehabilitation of patients with chronic heart failure

Abstract

BACKGROUND Current treatments for chronic heart failure (CHF) are therapeutically ineffective. The optimization of treatments for this disease needs to be explored and analyzed. AIM To analyze the effect of using Luhong Formula in the cardiac rehabilitation of patients with CHF and its influence on cardiopulmonary function (CPF) and prognosis. METHODS In total, 160 patients with CHF admitted between June 2022 and June 2023 were selected, including 75 receiving perindopril (control group) and 85 receiving Luhong Formula (research group). We conducted comparative analyses on the curative effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes and cardiac function, CPF [oxygen consumption at the anaerobic threshold (VO2 AT) and at peak exercise (peak VO2)], echocardiographic indexes [left atrial volume index (LAVI), left ventricular muscle mass index (LVMI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)], and prognosis [major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) at 6 months follow-up]. RESULTS The research group showed markedly higher curative effects of TCM syndromes and cardiac function than the control group. In addition, post-treatment VO2 AT, peak VO2, LVMI and LVEF in the research group were significantly higher, whereas LAVI was significantly lower, than those of the control group. Furthermore, fewer patients in the research group developed MACEs at the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION Luhong Formula is more therapeutically effective than perindopril for the cardiac rehabilitation of patients with CHF, specifically in enhancing CPF and prognosis.