Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Shenmai Injection(SI) on chronic systolic heart failure patients.Methods120 chronic heart failure patients were randomly divided into routine treatment and the routine treatment and SI group. The changes of angiotension Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ), aldosterone(Ald), endothelin-1 (ET-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), plasm rennin activity (PRA), cardionatrin(ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac function were observed.ResultsAfter treatment, LVEF,stage of NYHA increased in two groups,LVDs, LVDd and the level of Ang Ⅱ,Ald, ET-1, IL-6, TNF-α,PRA, ANP and BNP decreased in both groups(P<0.05). LVEF, stage of NYHA in the routine treatment and SI group incresed more significantly than those in routine treatment group(P<0.05). LVEDs, LVEDd and the level of Ang Ⅱ,Ald, ET-1, IL-6, TNF-α,PRA, ANP and BNP in the routine treatment and SI group were decreased more significantly than those in routine treatment group (P<0.05).ConclusionSI can improve not only the disturbed endocrine function and cytokines, but also left ventricular function.

Key words: chronic heart failure, Shenmai Injection, neurohumoral activity, cytokines