Acupuncture Therapy Fully Improves the Heart Rate Variability Indexes of Elderly Patients with Fractures

To investigate the effect of acupuncture on perioperative heart rate changes in elderly patients with hip or femur fractures undergoing surgery.

A total of 120 patients with hip or femur fractures aged over 70 years and ASA ≥ II were selected for selective fracture osteotomy and reduction with internal fixation or arthroplasty. They were divided into Group H and Group N according to whether they suffering from comorbidities, and then divided into the HS group (complication group), HD group (complication control group), NS group (without complication group), and ND group (without complication control group) (n = 30). Patients received acupuncture therapy at bilateral Neiguan and Zusanli acupoints before anesthesia on the first and second days after surgery. They were also subjected to 24-h dynamic electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring before surgery and on the third day after surgery. Blood pressure, heart rate, SPO2, and cardiac oxygen consumption after acupuncture were recorded. SDNN and Triangular Index were recorded.

The systolic blood pressure and myocardial oxygen consumption in the H group were significantly lower than those in the N group (P < .05). In addition, SDNN and Triangular Index in the HS group were increased after the operation when compared with those before the operation (P < .05). Postoperative INDEXES of SDNN and Triangular in the HS group and HD group were lower than those in the NS group and ND group before surgery (P < .05), while the postoperative indexes of SDNN and Triangular in the HD group were lower than those in HS group, NS group and ND group (P < .05).

Our study preliminarily revealed the perioperative efficacy of electroacupuncture at Neiguan and Zusanli acupoints: In conclusion, electroacupuncture at Neiguan and Zusanli acupoints demonstrates promise in improving perioperative safety and reducing cardiovascular adverse reactions in elderly patients with fractures undergoing surgery.