The organ protective effects of penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHC) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Background: As a novel selective anticholinergic drug, penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHC) provided the potential to protect organs by inhibiting the inflammatory response, attenuating oxidative stress, and alleviating ischemia / reperfusion injury. This study aimed to evaluate the organ protective effects of PHC in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Methods: Six electronic databases were searched systematically for randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) published April 30th 2025 that explored the application of PHC on cardiac surgical patients. Primary outcomes of interest included the biomarkers and variables of major organs (e.g. heart, lung, gastrointestinal tract and immune system) injury. Secondary outcomes of interest included the mechanical ventilation duration and hospital length of stay (LOS). Mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) or odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI were employed to analyze the data.
Results: A total of 37 RCTs with 1929 cardiac surgical patients (PHC group, 1043 patients; Control group, 886 patients) were included. The current study demonstrated that the adult patients in PHC group had lower cardiac troponin I (cTnI) [MD: -1.70, 95%CI: -2.63 to -0.77, P = 0.0003, with heterogeneity (P < 0.00001)] and creatine kinase (CK)-MB levels on post-operative day (POD)-1 after cardiac surgery, while the pediatric patients had lower cardiac troponin T (cTnT) (MD: -0.10, 95%CI: -0.12 to -0.09, P < 0.00001, without heterogeneity) in PHC group on…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,929 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Biportal endoscopic versus microscopic lumbar decompressive laminectomy in patients with spinal stenosis: A randomized controlled trial
- A whey protein-based multi-ingredient nutritional supplement stimulates gains in lean body mass and strength in healthy older men: A randomized controlled trial
- Supplement-based nutritional strategies to tackle frailty: A multifactorial, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept trial of creatine monohydrate as adjunctive treatment for bipolar depression
- Creatine supplementation (3 g/day) and bone health in older women: a 2-year, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
- A Multi-Ingredient Nutritional Supplement in Combination With Resistance Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Cognitive Function and Increases N-3 Index in Healthy Older Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.