Professor ZHU Liang-Chun's Academic Experience in Treating Unstable Carotid Plaques Based on Theory of Phlegm and Blood Stasis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Unstable carotid plaque is an independent risk factor for serious cerebrovascular events including stroke， making it considered as an intervention target for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Professor ZHU Liang-chun is a national distinguished master of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） who is adept at treating difficult miscellaneous diseases with insects. He believes that the unstable carotid plaque falls into the category of “vessel impediment” in TCM according to the disease location and characteristics. The core pathogenesis of unstable carotid plaque lies in asthenia in origin and sthenia in superficiality， with spleen-kidney deficiency as the root cause and combined phlegm and blood stasis as the manifestations. He has pointed out that both phlegm and blood stasis should be emphasized in the treatment. In addition to the commonly used herbs for strengthening spleen， removing stasis， and resolving phlegm， the insects with strong effects of searching wind and dredging collateral can be added as appropriate to strengthen the power of removing stasis and dredging collateral. According to the pathogenesis of this disease， he develops the Qutan Tongluo Wenbanfang， which has been confirmed by modern pharmacological research to be efficient in resisting inflammation， regulating endothelial cell functions， lowering lipids， adjusting metabolism， and improving blood circulation， thereby ameliorating the related biological processes of atherosclerosis， suppressing atherosclerosis， and stabilizing plaques. As proved by clinical practice， Qutan Tongluo Wenbanfang helps to reduce blood lipids and reduce the area of unstable carotid plaque， indicating that it deserves clinical promotion.