From October 10 to 12, 2023, the 15th World Stroke Congress (WSC 2023), hosted by the World Stroke Organization (WSO), was held in Toronto, Canada. As a leading global organization dedicated to stroke prevention and treatment, the WSO currently boasts more than 90 society members and over 4,000 individual members from over 90 countries and regions, representing a global network of over 55,000 stroke experts. The agenda for this year’s World Stroke Congress stands out for its emphasis on cutting-edge subjects related to stroke and cerebrovascular diseases. It serves as a platform for scholars worldwide to enrich their expertise in the field of stroke, fostering opportunities for interdisciplinary research collaboration.
During this year’s World Stroke Congress, Prof. Yi Dong, from Huashan Hospital, Fudan University in China, presented the most recent findings from the study titled “Effectiveness of Tongxinluo in Acute Ischemic Stroke—A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo Controlled Trial” (TISS Study). The study suggests that Tongxinluo Capsules can significantly improve the prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke, enhance their neurological function, and provide increased therapeutic advantages for individuals suffering from stroke. This study has made a substantial impact on the global platform of stroke-related academia, infusing fresh vigor into the global acknowledgment of traditional Chinese medicine. It has also contributed the latest, high-quality evidence in evidence-based medicine to the treatment of ischemic stroke through TCM theory of collateral diseases.
Content of the “Effectiveness of Tongxinluo in Acute Ischemic Stroke—A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo Controlled Trial”, presented at the WSC 2023
Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, characterized by a high incidence rate, high mortality, high disability rate, and a high recurrence rate. Notably, ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, also known as cerebral infarction, accounting for approximately 80% of all strokes.
“Time is crucial! Following a stroke, as time elapses, neurons can perish due to ischemia”, Prof. Yi Dong emphasized. The death of neurons can result in various functional impairments, primarily encompassing hemiplegia, aphasia, sensory disturbances, and psychological disorders. However, there is still a lack of effective neuroprotection measures in clinical practice, which hinders the rapid rescue of the brain.
Prof. Yi Dong was interviewed by a reporter from Ming Pao, a Chinese-language media outlet in Canada, at the WSC
Tongxinluo Capsules are a prime example of traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction, diabetic microangiopathy and other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Previous foundational studies have shown that Tongxinluo Capsules can modulate various inflammation pathways within the body, protect endothelial cells, enhance blood-brain barrier function, improve the tight junction ultrastructure of the blood-brain barrier, safeguard astrocytes, protect neuronal cells, ameliorate cerebral tissue glucose metabolism in the infarcted area, and enhance neurological function.
To further substantiate the clinical therapeutic effects of Tongxinluo Capsules, the TISS study was subsequently launched. This study enrolled 2,007 patients from over 50 hospitals in China, with the primary endpoint being the proportion of patients with mRS scores of 0 to 1 (recovery without disability) at 90 days after treatment.
The study results demonstrate that the proportion of patients with mRS scores of 0 to 1 at 90 days after treatment in the Tongxinluo Capsules group is significantly higher than that in the control group. The study revealed that Tongxinluo Capsules can improve the prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke, enhance neurological function, significantly boost patients’ self-care abilities, and deliver enhanced therapeutic benefits.
Prof. Yi Dong introduced the relevant content of the TISS study to foreign scholars
At the conference, numerous international medical experts exhibited a keen interest in the potential of Tongxinluo Capsules to enhance acute ischemic stroke management. They articulated that this study introduces fresh concepts and methods for the holistic diagnosis and treatment of acute stroke in the future.