Effect of puerarin on myocardial perfusion and ventricular wall motion in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Objective To investigate the effects of puerarin (Pur) on myocardial perfusion and ventricular wall motion in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods Thirty-seven patients with ACS were randomly divided into two groups: conventional treatment group (n=17, 11 males, range of age: 32-80 years, average age: 60.9±4.9 years) and Pur treatment group (n=20,12 males, range of age: 40-76 years, average age: 62.7±3.5 years). Patients in the conventional treatment group received standard treatment according to the current guidelines, while patients in the Pur treatment group received intravenous administration of Pur (500 mg/day) for 10 days plus conventional treatment. Real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RT-MCE ) was performed to evaluate the change in myocardial perfusion index (MPI) and ventricular wall motion index (VWMI) at admission and 10 days after treatment. Results At 10 days after treatment, MPI was significantly higher (P<0.01) and VWMI significantly lower (P<0.01) in the Pur group comparing with those in the conventional group. Conclusions Puerarin might improve myocardial microcirculation perfusion and ventricular wall motion in patients with ACS. (J Geriatr Cardiol 2008; 5:155-158)