OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of treatment for regulating Pi and protecting Xin (abbr. as CHM) and its effect on quality of life (QOL) in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

METHODSOne hundred and six patients, who were planned to undergo CABG were assigned into two groups, the 51 patients in the control group were treated with conventional Western medicinal treatment (WM) and the 55 patients in the experimental group were treated by WM with additional medication of CHM constituted mainly by modified Huxin Recipe. The changes of symptoms and heart function were observed and the patients' QOL was evaluated by SF-36 Scale.

RESULTSAfter being treated for 3 months, the total scores of symptoms in the experimental group was significantly improved in comparing with that in the control group (P < 0.01), the clinical efficacy on symptoms of TCM and improvement of heart function were superior to those in the control group (P < 0.05) respectively. The scores in terms of pain, vitality, role of emotion, mental health, health transition of patients in the experimental group according to SF-36 scale were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTreatment for regulating Pi and protecting Xin by modified Huxin Recipe can improve the recovery process of patients after CABG, elevate patients' heart function, symptoms and QOL.