Yiqihuoxue Decoction on ischemic cerebrovascular disease after carotid artery stenting: A retrospective study

This single-center retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the effect of Yiqihuoxue Decoction (YQHXD) as an adjunctive therapy on functional recovery in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) following carotid artery stenting (CAS). Data from 72 eligible ICVD patients' post-CAS were analyzed. Patients were assigned to a treatment group (n = 36), which received YQHXD twice daily for 3 months in addition to standard care, or a control group (n = 36), which received standard care alone. Outcomes included the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Barthel index, overall response rate, and adverse events, assessed at baseline and after the intervention. After treatment, the YQHXD group showed significantly greater improvement in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (P < .01), Barthel index scores (P < .01), and overall response rate (P = .02) compared with the control group. There were no significant differences in adverse events between groups. Adjunctive YQHXD may improve neurological function and activities of daily living in ICVD patients after CAS, with a favorable safety profile. These findings support further investigation into integrative strategies combining traditional Chinese medicine with conventional post-procedural care.