OBJECTIVE  To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Chaihu Guizhi Decoction in treating stable angina pectoris with anxiety/depression in patients with coronary heart disease of qi stagnation and blood stasis type.

  METHODS  60 patients with stable angina pectoris and anxiety/depression caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis type of coronary heart disease were included in the study. They were randomly divided into a control group (n=30) and a treatment group (n=30). Both groups of patients received health education, psychological counseling, and routine treatment for coronary heart disease angina pectoris. The control group received droperidol melitracin tablets in addition to basic treatment, while the treatment group received modified Chaihu Guizhi Decoction in addition to basic treatment for 4 weeks. The efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome, total score of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome, angina symptom score, electrocardiogram treadmill exercise test, nitroglycerin withdrawal rate, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), and Seattle angina questionnaire (SAQ) scores between the two groups of patients were compared before and after treatment. At the same time, peripheral blood lipids and IL-6 levels were measured.

  RESULTS  After treatment, the TCM syndrome score, angina symptom score, SAS, SDS score of both groups of patients decreased (P < 0.01), and the scores of various dimensions of SAQ increased (P < 0.01). The occurrence time of ST segment depression of 1mm in treadmill exercise test was prolonged, the occurrence time of angina was prolonged, and the recovery time of ST segment was shortened (P < 0.01), and TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-6 were significantly reduced (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Moreover, the treatment group was superior to the control group in improving TCM syndrome scores, angina symptom scores, SAS, SDS scores, PL and TS scores in SAQ, apparent effective rate of TCM syndrome, nitroglycerin cessation rate, blood lipids (TC, LDL-C), and serum IL-6 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

  CONCLUSION  Modified Chaihu Guizhi Decoction can significantly improve the clinical symptoms, anxiety and depression status of patients with stable angina pectoris and anxiety/depression of qi stagnation and blood stasis type of coronary heart disease, improve quality of life, reduce blood lipids and IL-6 levels.