Efficacy and safety of Qishen granule for treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract Background Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a multifaceted clinical condition that comprises nearly 50% of all heart failure cases, making it a significant clinical challenge. Qishen granule (QSG) is a promising traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment that show...

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Main Authors: Huiqi Chen, Zhibo Li, Meiyi Su, Guanghui Song, Sien Guo, Wenwei Feng, Wensheng Chen, Chun Li, Lei Wang, Wei Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05029-z
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author Huiqi Chen
Zhibo Li
Meiyi Su
Guanghui Song
Sien Guo
Wenwei Feng
Wensheng Chen
Chun Li
Lei Wang
Wei Wang
author_facet Huiqi Chen
Zhibo Li
Meiyi Su
Guanghui Song
Sien Guo
Wenwei Feng
Wensheng Chen
Chun Li
Lei Wang
Wei Wang
author_sort Huiqi Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a multifaceted clinical condition that comprises nearly 50% of all heart failure cases, making it a significant clinical challenge. Qishen granule (QSG) is a promising traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment that shows cardioprotective potential against chronic heart failure, as evidenced in previous studies. This trial intends to perform a prospective clinical study to observe the efficacy and safety of QSG on HFpEF. Methods This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eighty eligible participants with HFpEF will be enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio and receive either the QSG treatment or placebo for 12 weeks, with all participants maintaining guideline-directed HFpEF therapy throughout the study period. The primary outcomes are changes in peak VO2 measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), and plasma NT-proBNP level from baseline to endpoint. Secondary outcomes include changes in echocardiography parameters, serum soluble human growth stimulation expressed gene 2 (ST2) protein levels, TCM syndrome integral scale score, quality of life and other indicators in CPET. Safety indicators like blood tests of liver and renal function and adverse events are used to assess the safety of QSG. Discussion This study’s result may establish clinical evidence supporting QSG’s therapeutic benefits and safety in HFpEF management. Trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ . Registration number: NCT06377761. Registered on 2 June 2022.
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spelling doaj-art-2eef5a8443024b09be01de33bf71daa82025-08-20T03:42:37ZengBMCBMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies2662-76712025-08-0125111010.1186/s12906-025-05029-zEfficacy and safety of Qishen granule for treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialHuiqi Chen0Zhibo Li1Meiyi Su2Guanghui Song3Sien Guo4Wenwei Feng5Wensheng Chen6Chun Li7Lei Wang8Wei Wang9The Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineThe Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineThe Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Dongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Dongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineSchool of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese MedicineAbstract Background Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a multifaceted clinical condition that comprises nearly 50% of all heart failure cases, making it a significant clinical challenge. Qishen granule (QSG) is a promising traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment that shows cardioprotective potential against chronic heart failure, as evidenced in previous studies. This trial intends to perform a prospective clinical study to observe the efficacy and safety of QSG on HFpEF. Methods This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eighty eligible participants with HFpEF will be enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio and receive either the QSG treatment or placebo for 12 weeks, with all participants maintaining guideline-directed HFpEF therapy throughout the study period. The primary outcomes are changes in peak VO2 measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), and plasma NT-proBNP level from baseline to endpoint. Secondary outcomes include changes in echocardiography parameters, serum soluble human growth stimulation expressed gene 2 (ST2) protein levels, TCM syndrome integral scale score, quality of life and other indicators in CPET. Safety indicators like blood tests of liver and renal function and adverse events are used to assess the safety of QSG. Discussion This study’s result may establish clinical evidence supporting QSG’s therapeutic benefits and safety in HFpEF management. Trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ . Registration number: NCT06377761. Registered on 2 June 2022.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05029-zHeart failure with preserved ejection fractionQishen granuleCardiopulmonary exercise testProtocolRandomized controlled trial
spellingShingle Huiqi Chen
Zhibo Li
Meiyi Su
Guanghui Song
Sien Guo
Wenwei Feng
Wensheng Chen
Chun Li
Lei Wang
Wei Wang
Efficacy and safety of Qishen granule for treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Qishen granule
Cardiopulmonary exercise test
Protocol
Randomized controlled trial
title Efficacy and safety of Qishen granule for treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_full Efficacy and safety of Qishen granule for treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_fullStr Efficacy and safety of Qishen granule for treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy and safety of Qishen granule for treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_short Efficacy and safety of Qishen granule for treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_sort efficacy and safety of qishen granule for treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction a study protocol for a multicenter randomized double blind placebo controlled trial
topic Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Qishen granule
Cardiopulmonary exercise test
Protocol
Randomized controlled trial
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05029-z
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