Objective: To investigate the safety and effectiveness of Gangdi Pingchuan decoction in the treatment of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD). Method: Seventy-nine patients according with the standard diagnosis of AECOPD and lung distension (phlegm and blood stasis of TCM syndrome differentiation standard) were randomly divided into control group (40 cases)and observation group(39 cases). Patients in both group received conventional western medicine treatment. Patients in observation group added one dose Gangdi Pingchuan decoction enema daily for 1 week. Changes of TCM symptom scores

pulmonary function

arterial blood gas analysis and safety indexes were observed before and after treatment. Result: The improvement in TCM clinical symptoms of shortness of breath

anorexia and bloating

constipation in the observation group were better than those in the control group (P<0.01). The pulmonary ventilation function

forced vital capacity (FVC)as a percentage of predicted value(FVC%) of patients in observation group were significantly improved as compared with that in control group(P<0.05).Partial pressure of oxygen and blood oxygen saturation had an increase

partial pressure of carbon dioxide had a decrease in observation group

which is superior to those in control group(P<0.05).The observation group had good curative effect in control infection than the control group(P<0.05).There were no apparent effects on liver and renal function after 1-week treatment. Conclusion: Gangdi Pingchuan decoction can improve the therapeutic effect of western medicine in patients with AECOPD and no apparent effects on liver and renal function were found. The regimen of Gangdi Pingchuan decoction plus western medicine is superior to western medicine alone

which may be worth further study.