Objective: To compare the therapeutic effect of chrono-acupuncture (hour-prescription of acupoints) and routine acupuncture for treatment of coronary heart disease.

Methods: 37 coronary heart disease inpatients including 21 males and l6 females were subjected into this study. Their ages ranged from 48 to 76 years. The shortest duration of disease was 1 day and the longest 15 years. They were divided into chrono-acupuncture group, Neiguan-Xinping group and non-chrono-acupuncture group. The twelve two-hours and the twelve regular meridians were paired on the basis of the prosperity and decline of Qi and blood in a day and in combination with the Five-Shu-points of every meridian (Zhongchong- PC 9, Laogong - PC8, Daling- PC7, Neiguan -PC 6, Jianshi -PC5, Quze -PC 4 of Pericardium Meridian). Acupuncture treatment was given once daily, 5 times a week, with 15 times being a therapeutic course. Indexes of heart at, systolic and diastolic pressure, left ventricular ejection time(LVET), pre-ejection period (PEP), isovolumetric contraction time, PEP/LVET ejection fraction and cardiac force index were used for evaluating changes of the cardiac performance before and after acupuncture.

Results: Statistical analysis showed that the therapeutic effect of chrono-acupuncture group was superior to that of Neiguan (PC 6) group and non-chrono-acupuncture group in improving both systolic function and diastolic function, lowering heart rate, increasing blood flow of the coronary artery and improving the balance between oxygen supply and requirement. In addition, we also found that along with changes of flowing and ebbing of Qi and blood in the Five-Shu-points, the cardiac performance altered correspondingly.

Conclusion: Chrono-acupuncture is of a better therapeutic effect in improving the left cardiac function in coronary heart disease patients.

By Diarra Boubacar & Yang Jiebin