Key result
Acupuncture combined with antiarrhythmic drugs significantly improved response rates for ventricular premature beats compared to antiarrhythmic drugs alone (RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.27, P=0.002).
Why the study?
Does acupuncture therapy improve response rates in patients with cardiac arrhythmias compared to conventional anti-arrhythmic drugs or no treatment?
Population
797 patients with cardiac arrhythmias pooled from 13 RCTs.
Comparison
Acupuncture therapy, either alone or added to… vs Conventional anti-arrhythmic drugs, sham…
Design
Meta-analysis
Authors
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No support for acupuncture versus conventional therapy; leaves open its role in arrhythmia management pending larger RCTs.
Meta-Analysis (n=797)
Does acupuncture therapy improve response rates in patients with cardiac arrhythmias compared to conventional anti-arrhythmic drugs or no treatment?
Relative Risk: 1.15 (95% CI 1.05–1.27)
p-value: p=0.002
Acupuncture may provide additional benefit when combined with anti-arrhythmic drugs for ventricular premature beats and sinus tachycardia, though the overall quality of evidence is low.
Li et al. (2017) conducted a meta-analysis in Cardiac arrhythmias (PSVT, VPB, ST, Af) (n=797). Acupuncture (with or without antiarrhythmic drugs) vs. Conventional antiarrhythmic drugs, sham acupuncture, or bed rest was evaluated on Response rate for ventricular premature beat (VPB) (RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.27, p=0.002). Acupuncture combined with antiarrhythmic drugs significantly improved response rates for ventricular premature beats compared to antiarrhythmic drugs alone (RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.27, P=0.002).
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