OBJECTIVETo explore the characteristics of integrative medicinal diagnosis and treatment on chronic heart failure (CHF) by retrospectively analyzing the clinical data of 134 patients.

METHODSData of CHF patients hospitalized in Department of Cardiology, Xiyuan Hospital from Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2004 were collected and their characteristics of TCM syndromes, condition of treatment (both Western and Chinese medicine), and fatality rate were investigated and analyzed using the data system of Chinese medicine clinical research for coronary heart disease.

RESULTSIn the 134 CHF patients, the commonly encountered basic diseases were mainly the coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension; the main TCM syndrome types were qi deficiency and blood-stasis type, phlegm-stasis inter mingling type, both qi-yin deficiency type, inner water-dampness stagnancy type and yang deficiency type; showing a certain regularity between syndrome type distribution and cardiac functional NYHA grading. The total fatality rate was 6.87%, which was positively correlated with the age of patients, existence of old myocardial infarction and impairing of heart function. The Chinese medicinal treatment applied was mainly the methods of supplementing qi, activating blood circulation, dissolving phlegm and nourishing yin, and the preparations used for intravenous perfusion were mainly injections of Shengmai, Salvia mitrorrhiza, Sanchi total saponin, and acanthopanax.

CONCLUSIONThe syndromes in CHF patients of Xiyuan Hospital mainly covered qi deficiency, blood stasis, phlegm blocking, and yang deficiency, who were mostly treated with integrative medicinal treatment. However, its superiority needs the support from evidence-based medicine.