To investigate the effects of Mahuang Xixin Fuzi Decoction (麻黄细辛附子汤) on cardiac function, exercise tolerance and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with heart failure with Yang deficiency and water diffusion type.

Eighty-two patients with heart failure of Yang deficiency and water diffusion type were selected and divided into the control group and treatment group according to the randomized numerical table method with the ratio of 1∶1. The control group was treated with conventional western medicines as well as herbal placebo on the basis of the general treatment, and the treatment group was treated with Mahuang Xixin Fuzi Decoction on the basis of the general treatment and conventional western medicines. The two groups were treated for 4 weeks. The changes of clinical efficacy, TCM syndrome points, adverse reactions, cardiac function indicators［left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD), left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF) ］, exercise endurance profile (6MWT), biomarkers［interleukin-6 (IL-6), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), NT-proBNP］, and Minnesota Heart Failure Life Quality Questionnaire (MLHFQ) before and after the treatment of the two groups were observed.

The differences between the two groups in the pre-treatment observation indicators were not statistically significant (P>0.05) . After receiving treatment, the clinical efficacy of the treatment group was significantly improved compared with that of the control group (P<0.05) . After treatment, the TCMsyndrome scores of the two groups, such as palpitations, chest tightness, fatigue, chills and edema, were improved, and the improvement in the treatment group was more obvious (P<0.05), but the difference in chest tightness symptoms in the control group was not obvious compared with that before treatment, and was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The treatment group showed significant improvement in cardiac function (LAD, LVEDD, LVESD, LVEF) and greater walking distance (6MWT) than the control group (P<0.05) . After the treatment, the levels of inflammatory factors (IL-6, hs-CRP) and NT-proBNP were reduced in the treatment group compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). The MLHFQ scores also improved in the treatment group compared to those in the control group (P<0.05) .

Mahuang Xixin Fuzi Decoction can significantly improve the cardiac function, exercise tolerance and NT-proBNP content of the patients with heart failure of Yang deficiency and water diffusion type, which can effectively improve the quality of life.