Objective：To investigate the effectiveness of irbesartan in combination with ramipril for treatment of chronic heart failure in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD).Methods:A total of 120 RHD patients with chronic heart failure were randomized into treatment group (n=60) and control group (n=60) after valve replacement.All patients received regular ramipril treatment (5 mg/d); treatment group were also given irbesartan (150 mg/d).The patients were followed up for 6 months.The indices of observation included cardiac function (NYHA Class),6-Minute Hall-Walk distance,and echocardiographic parameters.Results:Six months later the cardiac function in the treatment group was obviously improved compared with the control group; the patients in the treatment group had significant increase in 6-Minute Hall-Walk distance and improvement in echocardiographic parameters (left ventricle end-systolic diameters,end-diastolic diameter,ejection fraction,fractional shortening,P<0.05).Conclusion:Irbesartan in combination with ramipril can obviously improve the cardiac function and reverse ventricle remodeling in RDH patients with chronic heart failure.