Objective. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on
di'ao xinxuekang capsule (XXK) in treating
angina pectoris were published only in Chinese and have not been systematically reviewed particularly for comparing XXK with
isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN). This study aims to provide a comprehensive
PRISMA compliant and internationally accessible systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacies of XXK and ISDN in treating
angina pectoris. Methods. The RCTs published between 1989 and 2011 on XXK and ISDN in treating
angina pectoris were selected according to specific criteria. Meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the symptomatic (SYMPTOMS) and electrocardiographic (ECG) improvements
after treatment. Odds ratios (OR) were used to measure effect sizes. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and metaregression were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the results. Results. Seven RCTs with 550 participants were eligible. Overall
ORs for comparing XXK with ISDN were 4.11 (95% CI : 2.57, 6.55) in SYMPTOMS and 2.37 (95% CI : 1.46, 3.84) in ECG. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and metaregression found no significant dependence of overall
ORs upon specific study characteristics. Conclusion. The meta-analysis of eligible but limited RCTs demonstrates that XXK seems to be more effective than ISDN in treating
angina pectoris. Further RCTs of high quality are warranted to be conducted for update of the results of this meta-analysis.