Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on severity of carotid stenosis and hemodynamics in patients with ischemic stroke

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on the severity of carotid stenosis and hemodynamics in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods Seventy patients with ischemic stroke hospitalized in The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between February 2012 and January 2014 were included as the subjects in this study, and were randomly divided into the control group (n=35) and study group (n=35). The control group received conventional symptomatic treatment, and the study group received Ginkgo biloba extract in addition to the treatment for the control group, with a course of 2 weeks. The clinical efficacy in the two groups after the treatment was evaluated. Adverse reactions during the treatment were recorded. The severity of carotid stenosis and hemodynamics of the two groups before and after the treatment were compared. Results After the treatment, the effective rates of the study group and the control group were 85.7% (30/35) and 62.9% (22/35) , respectively, with significant differences between the two groups (χ2=4.79, P<0.05). There were no liver and renal damage and other serious adverse reactions in the two groups during the treatment. The rate of carotid stenosis in the two groups after treatment were significantly decreased compared with the baselines (both P<0.05). And compared with the control group, the rate of carotid stenosis in the study group was decreased after treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the baselines, the carotid mean flow velocity (Vm) and the maximum peak velocity (Vs) were significantly increased, whereas the vascular resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were significantly decreased in the two groups after treatment (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the Vm and Vs were significantly increased, and the RI and PI were significantly decreased in the study group after treatment (all P<0.05). Conclusion Ginkgo biloba extract can significantly reduce the severity of carotid stenosis, improve carotid hemodynamics, and promote the recovery of cerebral blood flow perfusion in patients with ischemic stroke. Key words: Ginkgo biloba extract; Ischemic stroke; Carotid stenosis; Hemodynamics