To summarize characteristics of syndrome elements in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)on hepatic encephalopathy(HE).To compare it with vascular dementia(VD)in order to highlight pathogenic characteristics of the disease and provide reference for future study on HE and minimal hepatic encephalopathy(MHE).Methods:In accordance with retrieval strategy, literatures that met inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria were screened out.Information of syndromes and syndrome elements was extracted, the characteristics of TCM syndrome elements of HE were summarized, and they were compared with the study results of VD.Results:1)HE was characterized by syndromes of heat-toxin invading pericardium, orifices confused by phlegm, excessive fu-organ caused by phlegm-heat, obstruction of fu-organ qi, yin-yang collapse, orifices confused by damp-heat, orifices obstructed by stasis, internal stirring of liver wind, exhaustion of both qi and yin, phlegm-fire disturbing heart, and disorder of liver and spleen, most of which were excess syndromes. 2)In HE group, proportions of fire-heat, dampness, toxin and other excessive pathogens disturbing heart and mind, as well as internal stirring of wind pathogens were significantly higher than those in VD group, while proportions of yin deficiency, blood stasis and qi deficiency were significantly lower than those in the VD group.Dampness, wind and pestilent toxin were special for the HE group.Conclusion:The location of HE is mainly heart and liver.The disease is mainly characterized by excessive pathogens, also intermingled deficiency and excess.Excessive pathogens mainly include fire-heat, phlegm and toxin disturbing orifices, while deficient pathogens are mainly yin deficiency and qi deficiency.