Asian Journal of Cardiology Research

Aims: To evaluate the effect of an Ayurvedic-based ischemic reversal program (IRP) and a calorie-controlled diet to treat myocardial ischemia in patients with known chronic heart disease (CHD).

Study Design: Single arm, prospective study.

Place and Duration of Study: Madhavbaug Clinics throughout India, between June 2020 and August 2020.

Methodology: Patients with myocardial ischemia were screened using 2D speckle tracking global longitudinal strain (GLS) echocardiography. The selected patients underwent a baseline investigation along with a 6-minute walk test and assessment of the left ventricular ejection fraction, end diastolic volume (EDV), stroke volume and left ventricular mass. The study group were administered 14 IRP Panchakarma (twice a day) for 7 days and followed a calorie-controlled diet for 30 days. Post 30 days of treatment, the GLS score, 6-minute walk test, left ventricular ejection fraction, EDV, stroke volume and left ventricular mass were measured and compared with the baseline results.

Results: On screening 67 patients, 50 patients with a GLS score of ≥16 were selected for the study. The study population consisted of 43 males aged 59.37 ± 10.45 years and 7 females aged 63.14 ± 6.40 years. Post IRP treatment and calorie-controlled diet, the GLS score reduced from -10.77% to -12.13%. 6-minute walk test result improved thus indicating the improvement in the functional capacity of the patients. The left ventricular ejection fraction, EDV and stroke volume increased thus improving the cardiac output. Reduction in the left ventricular mass was observed which indicates a reduction of the risk of cardiovascular events.

Conclusion: The IRP and calorie-controlled diet helped to reduce the myocardial ischemic condition in the study population and the effect of the treatment was evaluated using speckle tracking global longitudinal strain echocardiography.