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Astragalus membranaceus Injection combined with conventional treatment for viral myocarditis: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

  • Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine
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Abstract

Objective

To assess the efficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus Injection combined with conventional therapy in the treatment of viral myocarditis.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of A. membranaceus Injection combined with conventional treatment compared with conventional treatment alone were included. Study population characteristics and outcome results were extracted independently by two assessors. Meta-analysis was performed for data available.

Results

Six RCTs, involving 639 participants, were included in this study. The methodological quality of the included trials was generally low, and there was high risk of publication bias in the included trials. The total effective rate of A. membranaceus Injection combined with conventional treatment was significantly higher than that of conventional treatment alone. Compared with conventional treatment, the cointervention treatment group showed significant recovery in myocardium enzyme levels and electrocardiography. Two RCTs reported there were no adverse effects from A. membranaceus Injection combined with conventional treatment.

Conclusion

A. membranaceus Injection combined with conventional treatment appeared to be more efficacious compared with conventional treatment alone for treating viral myocarditis. However, this conclusion should be cautiously interpreted due to low methodological quality, small sample size, limited number of trials, and high risk of publication bias and other unidentified risks of bias. The safety of A. membranaceus Injection combined with conventional treatment remains uncertain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China

    Yuan-lin Piao  (朴元林) & Xiao-chun Liang  (梁晓春)

Authors
  1. Yuan-lin Piao  (朴元林)
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  2. Xiao-chun Liang  (梁晓春)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiao-chun Liang  (梁晓春).

Additional information

Supported by the Health Industry Scientific Research Special Funding Subproject (No. 200902008-04)

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Piao, Yl., Liang, Xc. Astragalus membranaceus Injection combined with conventional treatment for viral myocarditis: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 20, 787–791 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-014-1825-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-014-1825-3

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