Objective: To assess the therapeutic effect and safety of compound salvia pellet (CSP) in treating stable angina pectoris (SAP).
Methods: Literatures regarding randomized clinical trials of CSP versus nitrate ester preparation in treating SAP, without any language limitation, were reviewed. Jadad scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the inclusive trials, and Cochrane systematic evaluation was applied for it.
Results: Seventeen randomized trials conformed to the inclusion criteria were reviewed, all in Chinese language. The combined results of the two comparing groups on therapeutic effect in symptom of angina and electrocardiogram (ECG) showed that the relative risk (RR) was 1.12 (1.06, 1.19) and the 95% credibility interval (CI) was 1.42 (1.20, 1.57).
Conclusion: Based on the Cochrane systematic review, CSP showed the therapeutic effect in treating SAP on relieving angina and improving ECG better than that of nitrate ester preparation, and with less adverse reaction and good tolerance. However the conclusion cannot be reached yet due to the low methodological quality of the trials collecting and lacking in some important final markers and relevant criteria for quality of life, more rationally designed and strictly executed randomized trials with large samples are necessary.