Objective: To study the clinical efficacy of the activating blood to resolve stasis herbs on patients with severe cerebral infarction (SCI) and to provide guidance for the future clinical treatment. Method: Sixty-four intensive care unit(ICU) patients with SCI were randomized into the control group(30 mg edaravone injection dissolved in 250 mL normal saline

intravenous drip

twice daily for 2 weeks)and the observation group(the traditional Chinese medicine compound of activating blood to resolve stasis

decoction for oral dose twice daily

taken morning and evening for 2 weeks)of 32 patients per group. The national institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS) score and Glasgow coma score (GCS)

blood rheology index adverse reactions in the two groups were observed and compared after the treatment. Result: Compared with the control group

the total effective rate was significantly increased (90.6% vs 68.8%

P<0.05)

the NIHSS score (15.7±5.4 vs 22.8±5.8) was significantly decreased and the GCS (14.5±0.8 vs 12.2±0.7) were obviously increased (P<0.05)

the whole blood high shear viscosity (2.2±0.1 vs 3.5±0.2) mPa· s

the whole blood low shear viscosity (4.1±0.2 vs 8.0±0.4) mPa· s

plasma viscosity (1.2±0.1 vs 1.7±0.2) mPa· s were obviously decreased (P<0.05) in the observation group. There were no obvious adverse reactions in the two groups during the treatment period. Conclusion: The treatment of activating blood to resolve stasis herbs has significant efficacy and high safety for SCI. Specially

it could improve the blood flow state

which is worthy of clinical promotion.