Daikenchuto improves the post-surgical albumin level and prognostic nutritional index after aortic valve replacement

Daikenchuto (TJ-100) is a Japanese traditional herbal medicine that enhances postoperative enterokinesis and increases the intestinal blood flow. Daikenchuto has historically played a positive role in the perioperative management of gastrointestinal surgery. However, the effect of Daikenchuto on improving nutrition after cardiac operation has never been reported. This study evaluated the effect of Daikenchuto administration after cardiac operation. Eighty-four patients who underwent isolated first aortic valve replacement (AVR) at our department from May 2008 to December 2014 were enrolled in this study and retrospectively examined. We administered Daikenchuto when patients started their water intake. Blood tests were performed before and seven days after AVR. We prescribed Daikenchuto for 21 patients (group D). The reductions in the albumin level and prognostic nutritional index (p = 0.045, p = 0.008, respectively, multivariate analysis of variance) after the operation were significantly lower in group D (3.75 ± 0.3 to 3.33 ± 0.4 and 44.7 ± 4.8 to 41.3 ± 6.7 mg/dl, respectively) than in the group without Daikenchuto (group N, 63 patients) (3.74 ± 0.5 to 3.13 ± 0.4 and 44.6 ± 6.3 to 37.7 ± 5.3 mg/dl, respectively). There were no significant differences in the incidence rates of postoperative complications or hospitalization duration between the two groups. Postoperative Daikenchuto administration is considered to be safe and effective for improving the postoperative nutritional status after simple AVR as well as digestive surgery.