Abstract

The cardiovascular effects of moxibustion at Jen Chung (Go-26) in 10 dogs under halothane anesthesia were compared to 5 dogs under halothane anesthesia without moxibustion and 5 dogs under halothane anesthesia in which moxibustion was effected at a neutral or non-acupuncture site. Cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, total peripheral resistance, pH, PaCO2, PaO2 and base deficit were measured over a two-hour period. A significant increase in cardiac output and stroke volume and a significant decrease in the total peripheral resistance were observed in the group which was stimulated by moxibustion at Jen Chung (Go-26). Heart rate, mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure were significantly increased during the early part of the two-hour period in the same group. The cardiovascular effects of moxibustion at Jen Chung (Go-26) which were observed at the end of two hours were also present in two dogs in which measurements were continued for two additional hours.