Objective:To observe the protective effects of Astragaloside IV on heart in rats with chronic heart failure from different perspective. MethodsChronic heart failure(CHF) model was established by abdominal aorta constriction (AAC) in 60 SD rats that without significant difference in baseline. 6 weeks after operation,cardiac ultrasound was conducted to determine whether the model was successful or not. After successful modeling,the CHF rats were divided into the model group,Astragaloside IV groups with low and high-dose and sham operation group,20 rats in each group. The rats in the Astragaloside IV groups were treated with Astragaloside IV at dose of 30 and 70 μg·g-1·d-1 as low and high dose respectively. The rats in sham operation group and model group were treated with 0.9%NaCl solution with equal volume. After treatment for 8 weeks,cardiac structure and function indexes of rats were determined by ultrasound. The hemodynamic indexes were measured after left ventricular intubation. The heart was collected and the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and right ventricular mass index (RVMI) were detected. The morphologic changes of myocardial tissue were observed by Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)and Masson staining. The protective effects of Astragaloside IV on CHF rats were evaluated from cardiac structure and function,hemodynamics,ventricular remodeling and morphology.  Results:Compared with the sham operation group,the LVMI,collagen volume fraction (CVF) and thickness of left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) of rats in the model group were increased (P<0.05). After treatment with Astragaloside IV,the LVMI,CVF and thickness of LVPW of rats in the Astragaloside IV groups with low and high dose were decreased compared with the model group (P<0.05).  Conclusion:The cardioprotective effects of Astragaloside IV may be associated with inhibiting myocardial fibrosis and decreasing left ventricular hypertrophy,improving hemodynamics of CHF rats.