Abstract:Objective To evaluate the effect of modified Chaihu Guizhi decoction combined with rehabilitation exercise on serum small dense low-density lipoprotein (sd-LDL) and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels, as well as disease benefit perception in patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary heart disease.Methods A total of 106 PCI patients treated at the Navy Qingdao Special Services Convalescent Center from January 2021 to December 2023 were randomly assigned to a study group and a control group, with 53 patients in each group. Patients in the control group received standard drug therapy and rehabilitation exercises following coronary intervention, while the study group received a modified Chaihu Guizhi decoction combined with rehabilitation exercises on top of the standard postoperative medication; all patients underwent a 12-week postoperative rehabilitation intervention. The treatments' effects were assessed by comparing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), sd-LDL, and Lp(a) levels, a 6-minute walk test, left ventricular ejection fraction, Seattle Angina Pectoris Scale scores, and perceived health benefit changes before and after treatment.Results The differences in TCM syndrome scores, TC, TG, LDL-C, sd-LDL, and Lp(a) levels before and after treatment were greater in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Comparison of the 6-minute walk distance before treatment and at weeks 4, 8, and 12 between the study and control groups showed: (1) statistically significant differences in walk distances at different time points (F =1 265.726, P =0.000); (2) longer walk distances in the experimental group, indicating better treatment effects (F = 128.596, P = 0.000); (3) statistically significant differences in trends of walk distances between the two groups (F =19.867, P =0.000). The differences in scores for physical activity limitation, stable angina, angina attacks, treatment satisfaction, and left ventricular ejection fraction before and after treatment were also higher in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Differences in SAS scores, SDS scores, and disease benefit perception scores before and after treatment were also greater in the study group (P < 0.05).Conclusion Modified Chaihu Guizhi decoction combined with rehabilitation exercise can effectively reduce sd-LDL and Lp(a) levels and improve disease benefit perception in patients after coronary heart disease PCI surgery, offering an effective treatment method for post-operative rehabilitation in coronary heart disease patients.