Improvement of cardiac function in CHF patients treated with acupuncture and moxibustion and western conventional medicine

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of warm acupuncture combined with Western medicine on cardiac function in patients with CHF. Methods A total of 120 patients with CHF who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups, 60 in each group. The control group was treated with conventional medicine, and the Chinese and western medicine group was combined with warm acupuncture on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The 6 min walking distance were compared. The LVEF%, LVEDd, and LVESd were measured by color Doppler ultrasound. The Plasma NT-proBNP was detected by ELISA. Results The total effective rate was 95.0% (57/60) in the Chinese and western medicine group and 90.0% (54/60) in the Western medicine group. The difference was statistically significant (Z=-2.218, P=0.027). After treatment, the LVEF% level of the Chinese and western medicine group (49.5% ± 4.7% vs. 47.0% ± 4.5 %, t=2.976), 6 min walking distance (348.9 ± 38.1 m vs. 319.7 ± 35.0 m, t= 5.107) were significantly higher than those of the Western medicine group (P<0.01); and the LVEDd (47.3 ± 4.0 mm vs. 50.0 ± 4.6 mm, t=-3.431), LVESd (38.5 ± 3.5 mm vs. 40.8 ± 3.9 mm, t=-3.400), NT-proBNP (750.2 ± 158.5 ng/L vs. 900.4 ± 183.7 ng/L, t=4.960) were significantly lower than those of the western medicine group (P<0.01). Conclusions Warm acupuncture combined with Western medicine can improve the heart function of CHF patients. Key words: Heart failure; Needle warming therapy; Acupuncture points; Amino terminal brain natriuretic peptide precursor; Integrated Chinese traditional and western medicine therapy