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Herbal extract for heart patients

          Washington: A herbal medicinal substance extracted from the leaves of Crataegus tree has been found to be a natural antioxidant and extends the life of heart failure patients by 4 months. The researchers found the substance called Crataegus Extract WS1442, safely extends the lives of congestive heart failure patients already receiving pharmacological treatment. The randomized, double-blind trial, known as the SPICE study, was conducted at 156 centers in Europe. The majority of the patients were male (84 percent) and nearly half the group (44 percent) were classified as NYHA III, meaning they were significantly impaired by their heart condition. The primary endpoint of the study was time to first cardiac event, including sudden cardiac death, death due to progressive heart failure, fatal heart attack, non-fatal heart attack or hospitalization due to heart failure. A total of 2,681 patients with markedly impaired left ventricular function - indicating advanced congestive heart failure - were randomized to WS 1442 or placebo for a duration of two years. All patients were already receiving pharmacological therapy with ACE-inhibitors (83 percent), beta-blockers (64 percent), glycosides (57 percent), spironolactone (39 percent) and diuretics (85 percent). Dr. Christian J. F. Holubarsch and his team saw a 20 percent reduction in cardiac-related deaths among patients on the herbal medicinal substance, and found that patients' lives were extended by four months during the first 18 months of the study. The safety of the compound was confirmed by a lower number of adverse events among the study group than those on placebo. "WS 1442 is safe in patients with more severe congestive heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction lower than 35 percent. It postpones death of cardiac cause after 18 months and sudden cardiac death in an important subgroup of patients," said Dr. Holubarsch of Median Kliniken Hospitals in Bad Krozingen, Germany, and lead study author. The study was presented at the American College of Cardiology's 56th Annual Scientific Session.
- March 28, 2007