Qili Qiangxin as an Adjuvant Treatment with Inotrope for Advanced Heart Failure: Retrospective Analysis

Background and Objective: Inotropic treatment is generally used for advanced chronic heart failure. However, a single administration of an inotropic agent is insufficient to produce long-lasting results. The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical impact of adjuvant treatment of Qili Qiangxin capsules on inotropic agents on N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP), hospitalization and quality of life of outpatients with advanced chronic heart failure. Materials and Methods: Patients who requiring the optimal medical management have received intermittent intravenous infusions of levosimendan plus oral Qili Qiangxin capsules (LN cohort, n = 67) or that of dobutamine plus oral Qili Qiangxin capsules (DB cohort, n = 62) or oral Qili Qiangxin capsules only (QQ cohort, n = 54). Results: At 12 weeks after intervention(s) (EL), NTproBNP was significantly decreased in patients of LN cohort than those of DB (p<0.0001, q = 6.555) and QQ (p<0.0001, q = 6.612) cohorts. Patients of LN cohorts had fewer all-cause hospitalization. At EL, only patients of the LN cohort had improved the Euro quality of life five-dimensional-five-level score (0.40 +/- 0.27 vs. 0.52 +/- 0.25, p = 0.019, q = 3.872) and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score (39.21 +/- 11.71 vs. 45.81 +/- 12.18, p = 0.004, q = 4.324) and had higher numbers of patients with normal the 6 min walking distance test value (3 vs. 15) as compared to before intervention(s). Conclusion: Qili Qiangxin capsules as an adjuvant treatment with intermittent intravenous infusions of levosimendan could be preferred for optimal medical management of advanced chronic heart failure patients to improve prognosis.