Daijiworld Media Network - Beijing
Beijing, Jan 16: Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) in patients with angina showed significant improvement with Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP), according to new phase IV clinical trial data, strengthening evidence of its efficacy and safety in routine practice.
CSFP is marked by delayed coronary blood flow despite the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease and is linked to recurrent angina, reduced quality of life and higher healthcare utilisation. With limited treatment options available, effective drug therapies remain an unmet need.
The multicentre, randomised, controlled study evaluated 200 adult patients with angina and CSFP enrolled between July 2016 and August 2020. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either STDP or placebo. The primary endpoint was the change in corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC), an angiographic marker of coronary blood flow.
Results showed that patients treated with STDP recorded significant reductions in CTFC in both the left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries, indicating faster coronary flow, while no meaningful changes were seen in the placebo group. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant. The treatment was well tolerated, with no major safety concerns reported during the study period.
Researchers noted that CSFP is associated with microvascular dysfunction, endothelial impairment and inflammation, and the observed improvement in coronary flow suggests STDP may help address these underlying mechanisms.
While highlighting the strengths of the randomised and double-blind design, the authors pointed out limitations including baseline lipid differences between groups, imprecise symptom assessment at enrolment and a study population limited to Chinese patients. They called for larger and more diverse studies to further validate the findings.
Despite these limitations, the trial positions STDP as a promising therapeutic option for angina patients suffering from coronary slow flow phenomenon.