TREATMENT OF ANGINA PECTORIS BY ACUPUNCTURE

AN OBSERVATION IN 140 CASES

Bi Lige, Li Chuanjie, Zhu Baijun, Wang Jia'en

(Institute of Acupuncture, Academy of TCM, Beijing)

140 cases angina pectoris treated by acupuncture were observed during the years of 1974 to 1982.

Acupoints: The main acupoints were divided into two groups:

1. The acupoints of the first group were the Huatuojiaji (lateral to the th thoracic vertebra); Juque, Xinping (3 cun below the acupoint Shaohai).

2. The acupoints of the second group were the Huatuojiaji acupoints (lateral to the 4th thoracic vertebra), Tanzhong, Neiguan, These two groups were used alternatively. Secondary acupoints: Selecting acupoints were according to the differenciation of syndroms of the patients. The type of Yin deficiency: Sanyinjiao or Taixi; The type of Yang deficiency: Guanyuan or Dazui; The type of deficiency of vital energy: Qihai or Zusanli; The type of stagnation of phlegmwetness: Feishu or Fenglong; The type of blood stasis: Geshu or Xue-hai.

The acupoints on the back were inserted obliquely and the tips of the needle were inserted towards the spinal cords. Perpendicular insertion was given on the four extremities. The needles were withdrown only after patients had gained the needle reactions such as sourness, numbness distention or the propagated sensations along the meridian, and the needles on the back should be scraped for two minutes. The time for retaining the needle was twenty minutes. Insertion would be given every other day. Ten times would be one course of treatment. 2-3 courses might be observed in general.

In 140 cases, there were 130 cases of angina pectoris in which 32 cases (24.62%) had shown obvious effects in treatment, 73 cases (60%) improved, 20 cases (15.38%) ineffective in treatment. The effective rate in total amount was 84.62%. Out of 140 cases, there were 120 cases with fullness sensation in the chest, in which symptoms in 64 cases (62.6%) had been diminished in treatment. There were 102 cases with short of breath, in which symptoms in 64 cases (62.74%) had been also diminished.

Through ECG in 118 cases after acupuncture treatment, 18 cases (15.25%) showed obvious effects, 47 cases (39.83%) improved, 53 cases (44,92%) no effect. The effective rate in total was 55.08%.

According to the results mentioned above, it is obvious that treatment of angina pectoris with acupuncture is effective.