Objective To research the TCM pattern characteristics in acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure （CHF）. Methods Totally 340 CHF patients in acute exacerbation from 10 hospitals in northern China were surveyed according to the TCM pattern epidemiological survey form. The TCM pattern database was established. Double percent method was used for weight coefficient analysis of inquiry

inspection and tongue image

and frequency statistics was used to analyze the pulse. The pattern factors

patterns （pattern element combinations） and distribution of disease location were analyzed. Results The top 3 maximum weight coefficients of inquiry were short of breath

feeling suffocated and fatigue. The top 3 maximum weight coefficients of inspection were mental fatigue

lusterless complexion and cyanotic lips. The top 3 maximum weight coefficients of tongue image were dark purple tongue

red tongue and less tongue fur. The top 3 frequencies of pulse were deep pulse

fine pulse and stringlike pulse. The deficiency pattern factors from high to low were qi deficiency （339 cases

99.7%）

yin deficiency （193 cases

56.8%） and yang deficiency （147 cases

43.2%）. The repletion pattern factors from high to low were blood stasis （340 cases

100%）

water-rheum （298 cases

87.6%） and phlegm turbidity （190 cases

55.9%）. The highly frequent pattern was qi deficiency blood stasis pattern （339 cases

99.7%） and then combined with water-rheum or phlegm turbidity （314 cases

92.4%）. The main organs implicated were the heart （100.0%）

kidney （100.0%）

lung （98.2%）

spleen （75.0%） and liver （66.8%）. Three organs were implicated in 98.2% patients

four organs in 74.4% patients and five organs in 50.6% patients. Conclusion The basic TCM pattern characteristic in acute exacerbation of CHF is qi deficiency blood stasis with water-rheum or phlegm turbidity. The main organs implicated are the heart and kidney

however all five organs are affected.