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CARDIOLOGY

Hemodynamic and Electrocardiographic Effects of Short-Term Ginkgo Biloba

Cardiovascular Therapeutics Fellow, College of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut/Hartford Hospital, Storrs/Hartford, CT

Alexandria A Piotrowski, BS

PharmD Student, College of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut

Christopher R Fortier, BS

PharmD Student, College of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut

Xinhcun Liu, BS

Visiting Scholar, Department of Drug Information, Hartford Hospital

Jeffrey Kluger, MD

Director, Arrhythmia Services, Department of Cardiology, Hartford Hospital/University of Connecticut

C Michael White, PharmD

Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut/Hartford Hospital

Reprints: C Michael White PharmD, Drug Information Department, Hartford Hospital, 80 Seymour St., Hartford, CT 06102-5037, FAX 860/545-4371, cmwhite{at}harthosp.org

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immediate and short-term hemodynamic and electrocardiographic effects of Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo).

METHODS: Healthy volunteers were randomized to receive ginkgo 120 mg or placebo twice daily for 7 days in this prospective, double blind trial. After at least a 7-day washout period, subjects were crossed over to an additional 7 days of alternate therapy. Blood pressure, heart rate, and 12-lead electrocardiograms were evaluated immediately before (baseline), and at 1, 3, and 5 hours after observed ingestion of study drug on days 1 and 7 of therapy. Electrocardiographic parameters (P wave and QRS complex duration; PR, QT, and QTc intervals) were measured in lead II by a blinded investigator.

RESULTS: Ginkgo had no effect on any of the evaluated electrocardiographic parameters at any time point on days 1 or 7. Additionally, no changes in heart rate or systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found between the groups at any time point on any evaluative day.

CONCLUSIONS: Commonly used doses of Ginkgo biloba do not have any immediate or short-term effects on blood pressure, heart rate, or electrocardiographic variables in young, healthy volunteers.

Key Words: blood pressure, Ginkgo biloba, heart rate

Published Online, January 13, 2003. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1C254

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