Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. 2012; 40(3): 269-275 | DOI: 10.5543/tkda.2012.31032

Two cases of acute coronary syndrome after intake of Clavis Panax

Aslı İnci Atar, Okan Er, Abdullah Güven, Beyhan Eryonucu
Fatih University, School of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Ankara, Turkey

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is an epidemic in today’s world. It is one of the most common causes of hospitalization and death. Therefore, remedies to control or heal the disease are continuously sought. In addition to scientifically researched therapies, patients frequently utilize alternative medicine. However, effective and toxic doses, metabolisms, and drug interactions of the herbs and herbal nutrition supplements are largely unknown. Herein, we present two cases with acute coronary syndrome. The first case was admitted with a diagnosis of acute inferior myocardial infaction (MI) and a stent was implanted to the occluded right coronary artery (RCA). There was a 50% stenosis in his left anterior descending artery (LAD). He was admitted with a diagnosis of non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI) 6 months later. In the coronary angiogram, there was stent restenosis in RCA, the lesion in LAD had become thrombotic and progressed to a stenosis of 90%. He was referred to surgical revascularization. The second case was admitted for acute inferior MI and a stent was implanted to the occluded circumflex artery. Two months later, he was hospitalized for NSTEMI. Progression of coronary plaques to stenosis and stent restenosis was detected and he was referred to surgical revascularization. Both patients used the product sold as Clavis Panax, which contains panax ginseng, tribulus terrestris, and oat, after their first coronary intervention. Intake of a mixture of plant extracts may have serious consequences in humans as drug interactions and side effects are unknown.

Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome, acute myocardial infaction, atherosclerosis, plants; cardiovascular agents/pharmacology; panax/adverse effects; saponins

---

CITE