Chinese herbs can cause surgery complications-study

HONG KONG, Sep 7 (Reuters) Herbs used in some traditional Chinese prescriptions can cause complications if they are taken just before anaesthesia and surgery, a Hong Kong study has found. The study, published in the September issue of the medical journal Anesthesiology, found that certain herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine can impair blood clotting or lower blood pressure.

It named licorice, rehmannia, astragalus, atractylodes and eucommia as potentially harmful traditional herbs if taken in prescription form before surgery.

Some reduce potassium in the blood, which could result in serious arrythmia, or irregular heartbeat, if the person is given anaesthetic drugs at the same time, according to the researchers.

''During surgery, because of the anaesthetic drugs we give to the patients, it would make them more likely to develop arrythmia. The interaction (with anaesthesia) will provoke arrythmia more easily,'' said Chui Po-tong, honorary clinical associate professor of the Chinese University's Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care.

''If possible, stop prescribed TCHM (traditional Chinese herbal medicine) before surgery. Or tell your doctor that you have taken TCHM and let them know that before you go into surgery,'' said associate professor Anna Lee, from the same department.

The study emphasized that over-the-counter herbal soups and tea were considered safe.

''Herbs used in prescription are a lot more potent. You have to boil it and it becomes a very concentrated solution,'' Lee explained.

Between January 2003 and September 2004, the researchers surveyed 601 patients and found that 80 per cent took over-the-counter traditional herbal soups and teas, 12 per cent did not take any traditional herbal medicine, and 8 per cent took prescribed herbal medicine.

The patients underwent routine pre-surgery checks. Complications, such as prolonged bleeding and low blood potassium, were detected in those who took prescribed herbal medicine.

''Patients taking TCHM prescription were two times more likely to have an adverse event before surgery,'' the researchers said in a statement.

Lee said doctors intervened at that juncture and none of the patients developed complications during surgery or afterwards.

Reuters DKA DB0857