Effect of combination of Chinese traditional medicine and western medicine on cardiac function in patients with premature ventricular contraction: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel controlled clinical study

Objective To investigate the effect of metoprolol tartrate tablets combined with Tongmai Yangxin Pills(TMYXP) on cardiac function in patients with premature ventricular contraction (PVC). Methods According to the random number table, 584 patients with PVC were randomly assigned into two groups by 1∶1 ratio. The 292 patients in the treatment group were given metoprolol tartrate tablets, 50 mg twice a day combined with TMYXP, 40 pills twice a day, while 292 patients in the control group were given metoprolol tartrate tablets, 50 mg twice a day combined with TMYXP placebo, 40 pills twice a day for 8 weeks. The heart function was compared between the 2 groups. Results The general condition, baseline heart function grading (NYHA grading) and echocardiographic parameters were similar in the two groups (all P>0.05). After 8-week treatment, the effective rate was 21.9% in the treatment group and 12.4% in the control group with statistically significant difference (χ2=8.403, P=0.004). Echocardiographic parameters showed some improved in both groups. Compared with control group, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significant improved in the treatment group [1.00(-6.00, 9.00) vs. 0.00(-9.00, 7.00), Z=1.987, P=0.047]. Conclusions Metoprolol tartrate tablets combined with TMYXP may be helpful for improvement of LVEF in patients with PVC. Key words: Metoprolol tartrate tablets; Tongmai Yangxin Pills; Ventricualr premature