OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy of Qishen Huoxue Granules (QHG) for auxiliary treatment of critical patients with acute kidney injury (AKI).

METHODSFifty-two AKI patients came from critical care medical department of Beijing Friendship Hospital were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (25 patients) was treated with QHG (consisted of Radix Astragali, Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae, Radix Paeoniae rubra, Flos Carthami, and Radix Angelicae sinensis, etc., 10 g/bag, administered via gastric perfusion, 3 times per day, 10 g in each time) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT); Group B (27 cases) was treated only by CRRT, all for 14 days. Besides, mechanical ventilation and vasoactive drugs were applied in case of necessary. The time of renal function recovery, days in ICU, 28-day mortality, changes of serum Cystatin C concentration as well as the time of mechanical ventilation (T-V) and vasoactive drugs application (T-D) in patients, who received corresponding treatment were observed.

RESULTSThe renal function recovery time in Group A was markedly earlier than that in Group B (P < 0.05), with concentration of serum Cystatin C began to decrease from day 10. T-V and T-D in Group A were markedly shorter than those in Group B, respectively (P < 0.05). No significantly statistical difference between the two groups for days in ICU and 28-day mortality was found (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQHG shows favorable prospect in treating critical AKI patients, it can significantly accelerate the renal function recovery time, shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and vasoactive drugs application.