Objective To systematically review the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Baoxin Wan（ SBW） in the adjuvant treatment of chronic heart failure（ CHF）. Methods Pub Med

OVID

EMbase

The Cochrane Library

CBMdisc

CNKI

Wan Fang Database and VIP Database were searched from January 2009 to August 2014 for all randomized controlled trials（ RCTs） on CHF treated by using SBW with western medicine in comparison with by using western medicine alone. Two reviewers extracted data individually and the methodological quality was evaluated with the Cochrane collaboration’s bias risk assessment tool. The meta-analysis was conducted using Rev Man 5. 2 to assess the main and secondary efficacy indexes

clinical efficiency rate

and ejection fraction（ EF%）

as well as left ventricular end diastolic diameter（ LVEDD）

6min walking test（6MWT） and serum type B natriuretic peptide（ BNP）.Results A total of 22 RCTs involving 1793 patients were included

which were all of low quality. The results indicated that the clinical efficiency rates

EF%

6MWT and LVEDD in the SBW group were better than those in the western medicine group（ P < 0. 001）

while there was no statistical difference in serum BNP levels between the two groups（P = 0. 34）. No serious or frequent adverse effects were reported in the SBP group. Conclusion In the treatment of CHF

SBW with routine western medicine could improve patient’s cardiac function

reverse ventricular remodeling and increase activity tolerance. But since methodology quality of the current studies are relatively low so the conclusion needs to be confirmed by further more rigorous trials.