Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Wushen Erlian Granules [Granules with five Shen（参）-medicines as the principals and two Lian（连）-medicines as the adjuvants for palpitation] on the symptomatic atrial premature beat （APB） and its influence on the heart rate variability of patients. Methods Totally 96 cases of symptomatic APB were randomized into control group

Wushen Erlian Granules group

and combination of Chinese and western medicine group

with 32 in each. The control group was administered metoprolol tartrate slow-released tablets 47.5mg

once per day

the Wushen Erlian Granules group was prescribed Wushen Erlian Granules 10 grams each time

3 times a day

and the combination group was given both metoprolol tartrate slow-released tablets and Wushen Erlian Granules. The course of treatment was of 4 weeks. Before and after treatment

the 24h dynamic electrocardiogram was done to measure the atrial premature beats and to detect the heart rate variability. The atrial arrhythmia was graded according to Kleiger’s method

and the effect on the TCM clinical symptoms and atrial premature beats was evaluated. Results In the effect comparison of TCM clinical symptoms

the total effective rate of the combination of Chinese and western medicine group and Wushen Erlian Granules group was significantly higher than that of the control group （P<0.05 or P<0.01）

and the combination group was higher than the Wushen Erlian Granules group （P<0.05）. In the effect comparison of trial premature beats

the total effective rate of the combination group was higher than that of the control group and Wushen Erlian Granules group （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. The changes in the Kleiger’s grades of the 3 groups after treatment were significantly better than before treatment （P<0.05 or P<0.01）

and the between-group comparison showed that the combination group was better than the control group （P<0.05）. The difference in the atrial premature beats and heart rate variability of the 3 groups before and after treatment was all statistically significant （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. After treatment

the atrial premature beats and heart rate variability of the combination group were both better than those of the control group and Wushen Erlian Granules group （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. Conclusion Being able to improve the heart rate variability significantly

Wushen Erlian Granules plus metoprolol tartrate tablets is effective for symptomatic atrial premature beat. It’s better in therapeutic effect than the single use of metoprolol tartrate tablets.