Modification of cardiovascular function in dogs by acupuncture: a review.

Acupuncture at Jen Chung (Go-26) in dogs under halothane anesthesia produces sympathomimetic-like effects on the cardiovascular system. This response can be inhibited by pretreatment with propranolol and to a lesser extent with phentolamine. Severe hypotension and cardiac arrest produced by hypoxia in dogs under halothane anesthesia can be reversed by acupuncture at Jen Ying (St-9). This also was interpreted as a sympathomimetic-like effect. Acupuncture at Tsu San Li (St-36) results in a parasympathomimetic-like effect on the cardiovascular system which can be inhibited by atropine. A parasympatholytic-like effect resembling that produced by atropine can be obtained in dogs with sinus arrhythmia and pulsus alternans by acupuncture at Yang Hsi (LI-5).