Effectiveness of Compound Dilong Capsules in Patients with Asymptomatic Cerebral Carotid Artery Stenosis: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

Xinzuo Qin,1,* Xu Guo,2,* Yijiang Liu,1,3,* Zijian Wang,1 Xinyu Wang,1 Qi Wan,4 Mingjie Gao,5 Juexian Song1 1Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 4No. 904 Hospital of Joint Logistics Unit, Jiangsu, Wuxi, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Ultrasonography, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Mingjie Gao; Juexian Song, Email mingjie.gao@xwh.ccmu.edu.cn; songjuexian@vip.163.comPurpose: Asymptomatic cerebral carotid artery stenosis (ACCAS) benefits from secondary prevention via statins and antiplatelets; nonetheless, the impact of medication alone is often limited. Evidence has suggested enhanced therapeutic outcomes when Chinese patent medicine—specifically, compound dilong capsules (CDC)—is integrated with conventional secondary prevention measures.Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 319 ACCAS patients from January 2018 to December 2022 at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University. Depending on the clinical outcomes—improvement or stabilization versus progression—patients were classified into effective or ineffective treatment groups. Patient medical records and questionnaire responses were the primary data sources. The study accounted for demographic variables, clinical history, and medication details, with the primary focus on CDC use and its duration. Treatment outcomes were gauged alongside Transcranial color-coded sonography and Carotid Doppler ultrasonography findings. We employed both univariate and multivariate statistical methods to assess the data.Results: CDC administration (aOR=2.51, 95% CI 1.39– 4.54, P=0.002) and extended usage beyond six months (aOR=3.54, 95% CI 1.71– 7.32, P=0.001) demonstrate a statistically significant correlation with treatment efficacy. Gender (aOR=2.54, 95% CI 1.30– 5.00, P=0.007), hypertension management (aOR=0.56, 95% CI 0.33– 0.95, P=0.031), and antiplatelet therapy with aspirin (aOR=9.53, 95% CI 1.15– 78.89, P=0.037) or clopidogrel (aOR=9.97, 95% CI 1.10– 90.12, P=0.041) also influenced the therapeutic outcome significantly.Conclusion: Incorporating CDC as part of a secondary prevention strategy for over six months can beneficially modulate and limit the progression of vascular stenosis in ACCAS. These findings underscore the value of combining traditional Chinese medicine with modern pharmacological interventions in ACCAS management.Keywords: asymptomatic cerebral carotid artery stenosis, case-control study, secondary prevention, compound dilong capsules