Chronic heart failure is a disease in which the heart is the main focus and multiple internal organs are dysfunctional. Patients with chronic heart failure often suffer from cognitive dysfunction

the cause of which is still unclear. The theory of coordination between heart and kidney in traditional Chinese medicine provides a theoretical basis for explaining the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction caused by chronic heart failure. The heart spirit and kidney spirit are the main components of cognitive function. When the heart and kidney work in coordination

the spirit is clear and the will is calm. Deficiency of heart qi and disfunction of kidney for activating qi may lead to the inability of the heart fire to warm the kidney water

and that of the kidney water to aid the heart fire

resulting in the incoordination between the two organs

then forgetfulness

slowness

and other abnormalities of the mind will occur

thus causing cognitive dysfunction. The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible pathomechanisms of cognitive dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure through the theory of coordination between heart and kidney and to provide ideas and method for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction caused by chronic heart failure.