Objective To evaluate the efficacy of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) on Chinese patients with congestive heart failure by meta analysis. Methods Both foreign language databases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2009) and Chinese databases involving CBM, VIP and CJFD were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported the effect of rhBNP on the heart function (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the recent level of improvement in cardiac function) and its side effects of Chinese patients with congestive heart failure. Two reviewers assessed the quality of each trial and extracted data independently. The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2.8 software was used for statistical analysis. Results Nineteen RCTs were included, all of which came from internal. The methodological quality of the included studies was good. The baseline data of each trial were comparable. The results of meta-analyses showed: (1) the improvement of LVEF was higher in the rhBNP group than that in the blank control group (WMD=7.22, 95%CI 3.15 to 11.291, P=0.000 5). The level of improvement in cardiac function was better in the rhBNP group than those in the blank control group (OR=5.48, 95%CI 1.61 to 18.65, P=0.007), the nitroglycerin group (OR=3.60, 95%CI 2.02 to 6.41, Plt;0.000 1), and the sodium nitroprusside group (OR=3.21, 95%CI 0.12 to 85.20, P=0.49). The incidence of side effects was lower in the rhBNP group than that in the nitroglycerin group (OR=0.23, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.47, Plt;0.000 1), and the sodium nitroprusside group (OR=0.30, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.82, P=0.02). Moreover, the results of sensitivity analysis were also consistent with the above findings. Conclusion Recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide can effectively improve the hemodynamics and cardiac function level of Chinese population of patients with heart failure. The treatment doses are safe and tolerant, so it is recommended to clinical use.
