Objective To explore the probable mechanism of Shenkui Tongmai Granules（参葵通脉颗粒） in treating chronic heart failure. Methods Rat models of chronic cardiac failure were prepared by abdominal aortic coarctation. A total of 40 rats with successful modeling were randomly divided into model group

positive drug group and traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） low

medium and high dose groups

with 8 rats in each group. Another 8 normal rats were used as sham operation group. After 8 weeks of modeling

the low

medium and high doses of TCM groups were administered with 4. 32

8. 64

and 17. 28 g/（kg·d） Shenkui Tongmai Granules respectively

and the positive drug group was given 0. 9 mg/（kg · d） benazepril tablet for gavage administration. The sham operation group and model group were given 10 ml/（kg·d） distilled water. After 4 weeks of gavage

the cardiac function indexes and serum angiotensin Ⅱ（Ang Ⅱ） levels were measured in each group. The left ventricular index（LVMI） was calculated.The myocardial ultrastructure was detected by electron microscopy. The dynamin-related protein 1（Drp1）

mitochondrial fission 1 protein（Fis-1）

mitofusin 2（Mfn 2）

optic atrophic protein 1（Opa 1） protein expression and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase（AMPK）

peroxisome proliferation agent activating receptor-α（PPARα） mRNA expression were detected. Results Compared with the sham operation group

the cardiac function and myocardial ultrastructural damage

serum AngⅡ level increased

myocardial tissue Drp-1 and Fis-1 protein expression increased

while Mfn 2

Opa 1 protein expression and PARα mRNA decreased in the model group（P <0. 05）. Compared with the model group

the above-mentioned indicators of high

medium and low dose TCM groups improved

and the effect was best in the high TCM dose group（P < 0. 05）. Conclusion Shenkui Tongmai Granules can improve the myocardial mitochondrial damage in rats with chronic heart failure

which may be one of the mechanisms for the treatment of chronic cardiac failure.