The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of standard-dose idarubicin in combination with continuous infusion of cytarabine as induction therapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A total of 38 AML patients were enrolled, including 30 new diagnosed patients, 8 relapsed and refractory patients. Cytogenetic analysis was performed in all patients, 15 patients had cytogenetic aberrations including 4 complex abnormalities. All patients were treated with standard-dose idarubicin [12 mg/(m(2).d), days 1 to 3] and continuous infusion of cytarabine [100 mg/(m(2).d), days 1 to 7]. The results showed that after one course of induction therapy, the overall response rate was 89.5% (34/38), and 32 out of 38 (84.2%) patients achieved complete remission (CR), including 27 of 30 (90.0%) new diagnosed AML patients, 5 (62.5%) refractory and relapsed AML patients, all 4 patients with complex cytogenetic aberrations achieved cytogenetic CR. Out of 6 relapsed patients 2 showed as extramedullary relapse, 4 showed as bone marrow relapse. The median survival duration was > 22 months and median disease-free survival time was > 16 months. Myelosuppression and infections due to neutropenia were the most frequent adverse effects, severe nonhematologic toxicity and the early death were not observed in the patients. It is concluded that standard-dose of idarubicin combined with continuous infusions of cytarabine as the induction therapy is highly effective and well tolerated approach in patients with AML, this regimen provides an opportune moment for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.