Effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Pill on patients with carotid atherosclerosis by colour Doppler ultrasonography

Abstract

To observe the effect of Xuefuzhuyu Pill (XFZYP) on carotid atherosclerosis. The patients were randomly divided into XFZYP group and aspirin control group. The status of the carotid plaque vessel wall and blood flow were observed by colored Doppler ultrasonography. (1) Plaque of 6 cases regressed, of 6 cases unchanged, of 1 case progressed after treatment of XFZYP. The area of plaques between baseline and after treatment decreased 0.11 +/- 0.05 cm and that of thickness reduced for 0.09 +/- 0.04 cm2 (P < 0.05) in XFZYP group. While plaque of 3 cases regressed, of 6 unchanged, of 2 cases progressed after treatment of aspirin. The area and thickness of plaque were reduced to 0.05 +/- 0.04 cm and 0.04 +/- 0.03 cm respectively. There were no statistic difference in aspirin group. (2) The intima-media thickness of common carotid artery decreased 0.13 +/- 0.03 mm in XFZYP group (P < 0.001 versus baseline), but there were no significant change after treatment of aspirin (P > 0.05). (3) There were no distinct change about peak systole, minimal diastole time average peak, pulsative index, resistive index in common carotid artery and internal carotid artery after treatment of XFZYP and aspirin. Colour Doppler ultrasonography of carotid artery provide a noninvasive, safe and valid opportunities for clinical trail. XFZYP can be useful for the treatment of carotid atherosclerosis.