Complementary therapy in Chinese medicine for dilated cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure: A three-year follow-up case report

RATIONALE: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) coupled with congestive heart failure (CHF) is a clinically refractory cardiovascular condition characterized by high hospitalization and death rates. This case report presents a new treatment with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The patient's condition was improved through the Yi-Qi-Hua-Yu-Li-Shui decoction which provides ideas for other patients. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 26-year-old patient presented with dyspnea and recurrent chest tightness following exertion. Echocardiogram revealed a left ventricular end-diastolic dimension of 73 mm and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 31%. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide was 2679 pg/mL. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed with DCM and CHF. INTERVENTIONS: The patient used vasodilators, diuretics, cardiac stimulants, and many others, but the results were not encouraging. Consequently, he sought further intervention through the TCM. The principle of TCM involves benefiting qi, promoting blood circulation, resolving blood stasis, and inducing diuresis through oral Chinese herbal soup. OUTCOMES: The patient's clinical symptoms were greatly reduced after receiving TCM treatment for 15 days. After 10 months, cardiac function returned to normal with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 58% and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension of 54 mm, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide decreased from 2679 pg/mL to 440 pg/mL. Following more than 3 years of observation, the patient had no rehospitalization and led a mostly normal life. LESSONS: In the successful therapy of DCM-CHF, we discovered that Yi-Qi-Hua-Yu-Li-Shui decoction can significantly improve cardiac function, improve exercise tolerance, reduce clinical symptoms, and lower the rate of readmission.