Objective To take an expert survey on the characteri s tic items for Chin ese medicine syndrome elements of coronary artery disease（CAD） and determine th e key point of diagnosis of different syndrome elements.Methods A nationwide expert survey was carried out on the characteristic items for Chinese medicine syndrome elements of CAD with Delphi method.The sensitivity and speci ficity of the selected it ems was quantified and then both quantity scores were multiplied to get the weig ht and the importance of the selected items in the process of syndrome element s judgment.The positive coefficient and authority degree of experts and the con centration and coordination of their advice were evaluated.Resu lts Twenty-eight experts participated in the survey.The positive coefficient of experts was 100 %

the average authority coefficient was（0.94±0.06） and the coordination coe ff icient was 0.664.The characteristic items of qi deficiency syndrome were short n ess of breath

fatigue

aggravation after activity

mental exhaustion and less w ords

pale tongue and weak pulse.The characteristic items of blood deficiency s yndrome were palpitation

dizziness

pale complexion

pale lips and fingernails

pale tongue and thin pulse.The characteristic items of yin deficiency syndrome were palpitations

dry mouth

feverish palms and soles

hectic fever

night swe ats

red tongue and less coating of tongue and rapid and thin pulse.The charact eristic items of yang deficiency syndrome were cold intolerance

shortness of br eath

fatigue

pale and swollen complexion

lower extremity edema

fat and large tongue or with the traces of the teeth and slow and deep pulse.The characteris tic items of cold coagulation syndrome were chest pain

cold intolerance

pain i ncrease or reduction with temperature and tight pulse.The characteristic items of fire-heat syndrome were dry mouth

bitter mouth

dry stool

short and yellow urine

red tongue and yellow coating and rapid pulse.The characteristic items o f phlegm retention syndrome were chest stuffiness

obesity

head heavy as if swa thed

body heavy cumbersome

greasy coating of tongue and slippery pulse.The ch aracteristic items of water retention syndrome were wheeze

supine difficulties

lower extremity edema

or with facial swelling

deficient urine and slippery co ating of tongue.The characteristic items of qi stagnation syndrome were fullnes s in chest and hypochondrium

heave a deep sigh

high incidence with abnormal em otional and string pulse.The characteristic items of blood stasis syndrome were chest pain

dark complexion

dark purple lips

dim or dark purple tongue

or wi th petechia and ecchymosis

sublingual vascular stasis and astringent pulse.Conclusion The expert survey determines the diagnostic cri teria for Chinese medicin e syndrome elements of CAD

which is conducive to improve the accuracy and norma tive of Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation.