The Effects of Traditional Acupuncture on Mechanisms of Coronary Heart Disease

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Coronary Artery Disease

In brief

This research is being done because sudden and unexpected cardiac death remains a significant problem in patients with established coronary heart disease and accounts for 30% of deaths in this group (150,000 deaths annually) despite recognition and treatment of their heart disease. A large body of evidence implicates psychosocial stress as a risk factor and trigger for reduced blood flow in the heart, heart attack and sudden cardiac death, yet the specific mechanisms of this relationship remain under investigation. The nervous system, which plays a role in regulation of the heart, can influence cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart beats). There are several studies that suggest that acupuncture improves anginal symptoms (like chest pain or tightness) and blood pressure, while reducing stress and improving overall quality of life. The reason that acupuncture seems to have a positive effect on these factors is thought to be that it helps the arteries and the nervous system to work better. It is possible to measure these effects in a systematic way. The functioning of the artery can be measured by Peripheral Arterial Tonometry, (PAT) a simple monitoring device that measures blood flow using finger probes and a blood pressure cuff. Changes in the nervous system can be measured by using a 24-hour Holter monitor to record the heart rate. The 24-hour Holter monitor will also show if oxygen flow to the heart is decreased, as would happen during stress, by recording a continuous electrocardiogram (ECG). Feelings about stress can be established by questionnaires. The purpose of this study is to compare three groups of people with known coronary heart disease. One group will receive traditional acupuncture, one group will receive alternative acupuncture, and a third group will receive usual care only.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00570024

Run by

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

People needed

145

Starts

2006-01-01

Expected to finish

2010-03-01

Last updated by the study team

2019-04-10

Who can join

Age: 21 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age > 21 years
• Male or female
• Local residence
• Medically able to participate
• CAD by MI, CABG, PTCA, or stroke (>3 months prior), or angiographic evidence >50% epicardial coronary artery stenosis in at least one coronary artery
• Consent and referring MD approval

You may not qualify if…

• Comorbid disease precluding survival during study
• MI, unstable angina, CABG, PTCA or stroke within 3 months*
• HIV infection, chronic or active hepatitis or other blood-borne illness
• Cognitive, psychological or substance abuse-related impairment, as clinically assessed
• Atrial fibrillation, predominant pacemaker rhythm, significant conduction system disease, or automatic internal defibrillator*
• Significant valvular heart disease*
• Class III or IV heart failure*
• Renal or liver failure, as clinically assessed
• Participating in TA, or formal psychosocial stress management program
• Participation in another trial.

Where it is running

• Cedars-Sinai Women's Heart Center — Los Angeles, California, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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