Acupuncture helps postoperative atrial fibrillation, according to the authors of an American feasibility study. In a randomised clinical trial, 138 patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures such as coronary bypass, valve operations etc, were randomly assigned to receive either standard care or standard care with acupuncture. Up to three 30 minute acupuncture treatments were offered, at a rate of one per day. Patients were assessed for anxiety, pain and tension before and after acupuncture, and for heart rate and blood pressure. A “Was It Worth It” questionnaire was also completed by patients undergoing acupuncture.
Although the POAF recurrence rate was not statistically different between the two groups, the POAF burden was significantly shorter in acupuncture patients (5.2 versus 26.4 hours). Acupuncture was also associated with decreased anxiety (4.5 to 1.5), pain (3.5 to 2.0), tension (4.0 to 2.0), diastolic blood pressure (74.5 to 69.5mm/hg) and heart rate (74.5 to 72.5bpm). Furthermore, 95% of acupuncture patients stated it was worth participating. The researchers conclude that acupuncture is feasible and safe, and significantly reduces POAF burden among other things. It also meets with patient satisfaction.
(Acupuncture Treatment For Atrial Fibrillation in the Post-Operative Cardio-Thoracic Setting- A Feasibility Pilot Study. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, May 2021.)