Effects of Acupuncture-Combined General Anesthesia on Hemodynamic Stability, Renal Function, and Inflammatory...

General anesthesia (GA) is standard for kidney transplantation but can induce significant stress responses. The integration of acupuncture with GA remains unexplored in this context. This study evaluates the effects of acupuncture-combined GA on anesthetic efficacy and organ protection in kidney transplantation.

A retrospective study was conducted on 90 patients undergoing elective kidney transplantation between March 2022 and October 2024. Patients were classified into three groups: Group 1 (GA only), Group 2 (Acupuncture + GA), and Group 3 (Sham acupuncture + GA). Hemodynamics, renal function, inflammatory markers, and postoperative adverse reactions were compared among the groups at different intraoperative time points.

Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) varied significantly over time (P < .05). At T4, MAP was higher, and HR was lower in Group 2 than in the other groups (P < .05). Renal function markers (Cr, BUN, eGFR, urine volume) increased over time (P < .05) but showed no significant intergroup differences. Inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α) were lower in Group 2 (P < .05). Adverse reactions were fewer in the acupuncture groups but not significantly different.

Acupuncture-combined GA stabilizes intraoperative hemodynamics, exhibits renal protective and anti-inflammatory effects, and demonstrates high safety, suggesting its potential as an effective anesthetic approach in kidney transplantation.