Objective:To evaluate the effect of milrinone in treating refractory heart failure.Methods:5mg of milrinone in 250ml of 5% Glucose or 0.9% NaCl Solution were given daily by intravenous drip to 56 cases of refractory heart failure for a period of consecutive 7 days.The symptoms and signs were observed before and after the treatment,heart rate,blood pressure and heart function examined by Doppler echocardiography.Results:a.The total effective rate was 85.7%.b.The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fraction shortening (FS) were increased significantly (P＜0.01) after treatment.The rate of filling velocity in early diastole (E) over that in late diastole (A) was increased significantly (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Milrinone has good effect for treating refractory heart failure.It improves not only the cardiac systolic function but also the diastolic function.