Objective: To observe the effect of Huazhuo Tongmai decoction in patients with hypertension combined with carotid plaque and its influence to inflammatory response and vascular endothelial function. Method: The 120 eligible patients were randomly divided into control group and observation group according to method of random digits table

60 cases for each group. Levels of blood pressure were controlled strictly in both groups. Patients in control group received atorvastatin calcium tablets at night

20 mg/time

1 time/day. Based on the treatment of control group

patients in observation group received additional Huazhuo Tongmai decoction

1dose/day. Course of treatment lasted for 4 months in both groups. Intima-media thickness (IMT)

quantity and area of plaque were detected by color Doppler ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Before and after treatment

triglyceride (TG)

total cholesterol (TC)

high-density lipoprotein-C (HDL-C)

low-density lipoprotein-C (LDL-C)

tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)

high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)

adiponectin (APN)

nitric oxide (NO)

endothelin-1 (ET-1) and patients' blood pressure were detected. Result: IMT became thinner in both groups after treatment

and the number and area of plaques became less and small than the data before treatment (P<0.01). Those data in observation group changed more obviously than those in control group (P<0.05

P<0.01). After treatment

the number of cases with abnormal data on TG

TC

LDL-C and HDL-C were decreased than before in both groups (P<0.01)

and the number of cases with abnormal data on TG and HDL-C in observation group was less than that in control group (P<0.05). Levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after treatment were decreased in both groups (P<0.05)

but there was no statistical significant difference between two groups. Levels of TNF-α

hs-CRP and ET-1 after treatment in observation group were lower than those in control group

and levels of APN and NO were higher than those in control group (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: Huazhuo Tongmai decoction combined with atorvastatin calcium tablets can relieve inflammatory reaction

ameliorate vascular endothelial function

regulate lipid metabolism

reduce quantity and area of plaques in patients with hypertension combined with carotid plaque

and it can help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.