Acupuncture after heart valve surgery is feasible, safe, and has clinical benefits, according to a recently published study. JTCVS open.
Kim L. Feingold, Ph.D., of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and colleagues randomized patients who had undergone initial sternotomy valve surgery to acupuncture (51 patients) or standard care (49 patients) (1: 1). Daily inpatient acupuncture treatments began on the first postoperative day.
The researchers found that an average of 3.8 acupuncture treatments were administered per patient during an average hospital stay of 4.6 days. Acupuncture was associated with reduced pain, nausea, stress, and anxiety after each session and throughout the hospitalization compared to standard care.
In addition, acupuncture reduced the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (acupuncture, 13.7%; standard care, 32.7%), reduced discharges due to amiodarone (acupuncture, 9.8%; standard care, 26.5%), and intensive care. was associated with a reduction in time. Units (Acupuncture, 30.3, Standard Treatment, 37.0).
“We found that acupuncture after open-heart surgery can be performed in this fast-paced environment, even in the intensive care unit the day after surgery, and is well tolerated by patients with no side effects.” Gold said in a statement. “The majority of patients had no history of acupuncture and showed tolerance to receiving post-operative integrative therapy. Overall, patients found comfort and positive aspects of their cardiovascular surgery recovery. I reported that there is.”
Several authors disclosed relationships with the medical technology industry.
For more information:
Kim L. Feingold et al, Acupuncture after valve surgery is feasible and shows promise in reducing postoperative atrial fibrillation: ACU-Heart pilot study, JTCVS open (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.xjon.2023.05.010
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