Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Cardiovascular medicine is an advanced and technical speciality, and sometimes considered to be the domain of conventional medicine only. However there is growing positive clinical trial evidence for herbal interventions, and a holistic approach offers opportunities to fill gaps in total patient care. This case demonstrates how, even in a patient with a complex presentation including both heart failure and two types of rhythm disturbances, herbal medicine can offer significant benefits.
CASE SUMMARY
Miss T was 31 years old upon presentation, with a diagnosis of left ventricular failure, supraventricular tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation. Over a treatment period greater than 40 weeks, which included an acute urinary infection, pregnancy, morning sickness, and an acute episode of loss of consciousness, herbal medicine was employed with the aim of reducing the severity of heart failure, severity and frequency of rhythm disturbances, and improving quality of life.
OUTCOMES
Patient outcomes included reductions in the severity of rhythm disturbances and improvement in exercise tolerance, and finally a successful birth. Various ancillary health issues were also managed successfully with a combination of naturopathic and conventional medicine.
IMPLICATIONS
The case illustrates the value of employing herbal and naturopathic medicine as part of a combined care approach to managing patients with complex cardiovascular conditions. It also highlights the importance of careful prescribing to ensure safety with concurrent medications and confounding factors. Hindsight analysis also points to opportunities for potentially greater impact on heart failure through flexible dosing regimes.
Cardiovascular medicine is an advanced and technical speciality, and sometimes considered to be the domain of conventional medicine only. However there is growing positive clinical trial evidence for herbal interventions, and a holistic approach offers opportunities to fill gaps in total patient care. This case demonstrates how, even in a patient with a complex presentation including both heart failure and two types of rhythm disturbances, herbal medicine can offer significant benefits.
CASE SUMMARY
Miss T was 31 years old upon presentation, with a diagnosis of left ventricular failure, supraventricular tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation. Over a treatment period greater than 40 weeks, which included an acute urinary infection, pregnancy, morning sickness, and an acute episode of loss of consciousness, herbal medicine was employed with the aim of reducing the severity of heart failure, severity and frequency of rhythm disturbances, and improving quality of life.
OUTCOMES
Patient outcomes included reductions in the severity of rhythm disturbances and improvement in exercise tolerance, and finally a successful birth. Various ancillary health issues were also managed successfully with a combination of naturopathic and conventional medicine.
IMPLICATIONS
The case illustrates the value of employing herbal and naturopathic medicine as part of a combined care approach to managing patients with complex cardiovascular conditions. It also highlights the importance of careful prescribing to ensure safety with concurrent medications and confounding factors. Hindsight analysis also points to opportunities for potentially greater impact on heart failure through flexible dosing regimes.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 2017 |
| Event | 10th International Conference on Herbal Medicine - Brisbane, Australia Duration: 17 Mar 2017 → 19 Mar 2017 |
Conference
| Conference | 10th International Conference on Herbal Medicine |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Brisbane |
| Period | 17/03/17 → 19/03/17 |