ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine for arrhythmia caused by anthracycline drugs.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine for arrhythmia caused by anthracycline drugs from inception to October 2017. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and evaluated risk of bias of included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed by Revman 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 4 RCTs involving 312 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: the incidence of tachycardia in the Wenxin granule treatment group was lower than that in the control group (RR=0.35, 95%CI 0.18 to 0.67, P=0.002). Baoxinkang was more effective than antioxidant western medicine in protecting myocardial SOD activity (RR=2.25, 95%CI 1.74 to 2.76, P<0.000 01). But there was no significant difference between two groups on the incidence of atrial premature beats (RR=0.40, 95%CI 0.15 to 1.08,P=0.07), premature ventricular contractions (RR=0.56, 95%CI 0.23 to 1.34, P=0.19) and atrial fibrillation (RR=0.41, 95%CI 0.11 to 1.53, P=0.18). In addition, there was no significant difference between Wenxin granules and amiodarone in treating arrhythmia induced by anthracycline. The addition of Wenxin granules on the basis of anthracycline antitumor chemotherapy regimens was not effective in delaying disease progression compared with anthracycline alone. Wenxin granules could not change the SOD level of breast cancer patients with cardiotoxicity caused by anthracycline chemotherapy, compared with chemotherapy and basic treatment.ConclusionsThe current evidence shows that Wenxin granules can prevent and reduce anthracycline-induced tachycardia, but its efficacy in improving the overall efficiency, preventing and reducing atrial premature beats, premature ventricular contractions, atrial fibrillation, and SOD levels are unclear. Baoxinkang can protect myocardial SOD activity. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.

Citation： ZHANG Qin, YANG Xinyu, ZHANG Xiaoyu, SHANG Hongcai. Efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine for arrhythmia caused by anthracycline drugs: a systematic review. Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, 2018, 18(6): 604-609. doi: 10.7507/1672-2531.201805179 Copy