Preliminary Observations on the Effect of Acupuncture at Point Ximen(PC 4) on Heart Function in Volunteers with Acute Mild Hypoxia

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture at point Ximen(PC 4) on heart function in healthy volunteers with acute mild hypoxia.Methods Under the condition of inhaling low-oxygen gas mixture,point Ximen was given electroacupuncture.Cardiac outputs(CO),cardiac index(CI),systemic vascular resistance(SVR),systemic vascular resistance index(SVRI) and heart rate(HR) were recorded using impedance cardiography(ICG) monitor during electraacupuncture.Results Electroacupuncture at point Ximen significantly decreased CO and CI increased by acute mild hypoxia(P0.05 or P0.01).During electroacupuncture,SVR and SVRI increased significantly(P0.05 or P0.01),and HR decreased,but there was no significant difference compared with the other group(P0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Ximen can obviously improve heart hyperfunction induced by acute mild hypoxia and increase the body tolerance to hypoxia in healthy volunteers.