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(Stroke. 2006;37:574.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.

Cochrane Corner

Ginkgo Biloba for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Xianrong Zeng, MD; Ming Liu, MD; Yousong Yang, MD; Yang Li, MD Kjell Asplund, MD, PhD

From the Department of Neurology (X.R.Z., Y.S.Y.), Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Sichuan Medical Science Institution, China; the Department of Neurology (M.L.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China; the Department of Acupuncture (Y.L.), Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guang Zhou, China; and the National Board of Health and Welfare (K.A.), Stockholm, Sweden.

Correspondence to Prof Ming Liu, Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu 610041, China. E-mail wyplmh@hotmail.com

Section Editor: Graeme J. Hankey MD, FRCP

Key Words: stroke

An extract of the first 250 words of the full text is provided, because this article has no abstract.

	Introduction

 
Ginkgo biloba extract, a Chinese traditional medicine, is used widely in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in China and is also used occasionally in Europe, but its efficacy is uncertain.

	Objectives

 
The primary objective was to determine whether Ginkgo biloba extract improves functional outcome without causing undue harm in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Secondary objectives were to assess the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on neurological impairment and quality of life.

	Search Strategy

 
We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched October 2004), the Trials Register of the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field (last searched October 2004) and the Chinese Stroke Trials Register (last searched June 2004). In addition, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2004), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2004), EMBASE (1980 to June 2004), AMED (1985 to May 2002) and the China Biological Medicine Database (CBM-disc, 1979 to August 2004). We searched relevant clinical trials and research registers and contacted pharmaceutical companies and researchers in an effort to identify further published and unpublished studies.

	Selection Criteria

 
Selection criteria comprised randomized controlled trials or quasi-randomized controlled clinical trials comparing Ginkgo biloba extract with placebo or open control (no placebo) in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

	Data Collection and Analysis

 
Two reviewers independently selected trials for inclusion, assessed trial quality, and extracted the data.

	Main Results

 
Fourteen trials were identified, of which 10 trials (792 patients) were included. The other 4 trials are awaiting assessment. In the 10 included trials, follow-up was performed at 14 to 35 days after . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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