OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Shenfu qiangxin (SFQX) pills on the expression of autophagy-associated protein LC3b and pro apoptotic gene Bax in myocardial cells of rats with cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (water), model group (water), positive control group (Captopril tablets 2.3 mg/kg) and SFQX pills high-dose, medium-dose and low-dose groups [13.2, 6.6, 3.3 g(crude drug)/kg], with 10 rats in each group. CRS model was induced in those groups by abdominal-aortae-constriction+acute renal ischemia reperfusion injury except for sham operation group; and they were given relevant medicine intragastrically 8 week after operation, once a day, for consecutive 4 weeks. Plasma contents of Cr and ALD, the protein expression of LC3b and Bax in myocardial tissue of rats were detected 24 h after last medication; ventricular index was calculated, and morphological change of myocardial tissue was observed. RESULTS: Compared with sham operation group, the plasma contents of Cr and ALD, ventricular index and the protein expression of LC3b in myocardial tissue increased significantly in model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01); and myocardial cell suffered from endochylema red deletion, myocardial cross striation disorder, intercellular space fibrosis aggravation and so on. Compared with model group, the plasma contents of Cr and ALD (except for positive control group) and the protein expression of LC3b and Bax in myocardial tissue decreased significantly in positive control group and SFQX pills high-dose group (P<0.05 or P<0.01); myocardial pathological change was improved; the ventricular index decreased significantly in SFQX pills low-dose and medium-dose groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SFQX pills can decrease the plasma contents of Cr and ALD, inhibit myocardial cell autophagy and apoptosis in CRS rats.