Prof. ZHANG Yi's experience in treating severe arrhythmia

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
• Cardiology

Background:

• Zhi Gan Cao Tang (Decoction of Prepared Licorice) is traditionally prescribed for Heart yin and yang deficiency.
• Its known effects include tonifying yin, nourishing blood, activating yang, and stabilizing pulse.

Observation:

• Clinical application reveals diverse presentations of bradycardia and tachycardia, often requiring individualized treatment.
• Patients with bradycardia, even those needing pacemakers, showed varied TCM diagnoses (yang-qi insufficiency vs. phlegm-blood stasis).
• Tachycardia cases presented with different etiologies and ECG findings under Western medical analysis.

Findings:

• Modified Zhi Gan Cao Tang prescriptions, guided by syndrome differentiation, yielded significant therapeutic effects in bradycardia patients.
• Despite varied Western diagnoses, Zhi Gan Cao Tang with symptom-specific modifications proved effective for tachycardia patients.
• Individualized TCM syndrome differentiation is crucial for optimizing Zhi Gan Cao Tang's efficacy.

Implications:

• This study highlights the adaptability and effectiveness of Zhi Gan Cao Tang in managing complex cardiac conditions.
• Syndrome differentiation in TCM allows for personalized treatment strategies, improving patient outcomes.
• Integrative approaches combining TCM with Western medicine offer promising therapeutic avenues for cardiovascular diseases.