The efficacy and safety of Shenzhu Guanxin Recipe Granules for treatment of patients with coronary artery disease: protocol for a double-blind, randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common types of the cardiovascular diseases, previous pilot trials suggested that Traditional Chinese Medicine brought clinical benefits for patients with CAD. We will conduct this trial to determine the efficacy and safety of Shenzhu Guanxin Recipe Granules for treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. Patients and Methods This randomized controlled trial recruited 194 patients who were diagnosed CAD by clinical manifestations and examinations, in which coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) showed 50-70% of stenosis, with soft or mixed plaque. The included participants were randomly assigned to the case group and control group with a 1:1 allocation ratio; patients in the case group received SGR and usual care, and those in the control group received placebo (6 g/day for 6 months) and usual care. The endpoint of the study included calcium coverage score (CCS), C-Reactive protein (CRP), and the levels of blood lipids, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and ATP-binding membrane cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) were calculated before recruiting at6th month. The indicators were Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) and TCM syndrome questionnaire scores at 0th, 3rd, and 6th months. Discussion This clinical trial may provide a reliable evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness and safety of SGR therapy for patients with CAD by clinical manifestations and examinations, in which coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) showed 50-70% of stenosis, with soft or mixed plaque.