Some effects of acupuncture at Jen Chung (Go-26) on cardiovascular dynamics in dogs

The cardiovascular effects of two types of acupuncture, needling with twirling and moxibustion by electrocautery, at Jen Chung (Go-26) were studied in dogs with chronically implanted electromagnetic flowmeter probes, during 0.75% halothane anesthesia with a succinylcholine drip to allow controlled ventilation. Cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure, central venous pressure, total peripheral resistance, acid-base and blood gases were measured over a two hour period. During and following moxibustion by electrocautery at Jen Chung (Go-26) there was a generally significant increase (5% level) in cardiac output and stroke volume and an initially significant increase in heart rate, mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure. There was a significant decrease in total peripheral resistance following moxibustion by electrocautery and an initially significant decrease in total peripheral resistance following moxibustion by electrocautery and an initially significant decrease in total peripheral resistance following needling with twirling. It was observed in this investigation that moxibustion by electrocautery at Jen Chung (Go-26) produced more significant changes in cardiovascular dynamics in dogs than needling with twirling.