Preventive Effects of Ginseng Against Atherosclerosis

"Inclusion Criteria"

Patients were included if they

• were aged 20 to 80 years;
• had occlusion or severe stenosis (≥ 70%) of extracranial carotid artery and major intracranial arteries (intracranial carotid artery, middle cerebral artery, anterior cerebral artery, intracranial vertebral, basilar, or posterior cerebral artery) as documented by cerebral catheter angiography;
• had any risk factor for stroke, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, alcohol drinking, or previous stroke history;
• had no adverse reactions to administration of ginseng; and
• agreed to participate in the trial.

"Exclusion Criteria"

Patients were excluded if they

• did not agree to participate in the trial;
• had any genetic cerebrovascular diseases;
• had adverse reactions to contrast medium;
• were pregnant or planning to be pregnant;
• had a history of cardioembolic stroke;
• had an emboligenic cardiac disease such as atrial fibrillation, valve disease, congestive heart failure, or recent myocardial infarction;
• had a risk of stroke of other determined etiology according to the TOAST classification;
• had undergone any neurointervention procedure or surgery, such as intra-arterial thrombolysis, angioplasty procedures, carotid endarterectomy, or bypass surgery;
• had chronic kidney disease (GFR < 30 ml/min); or
• had severe hepatic dysfunction.