Electro-acupuncture Stimulation at Acupoints Reduced the Severity of Hypotension During Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND: Patients with end-stage liver diseases who undergo liver transplantation may suffer from hypotension related to the liver disease itself or related to the surgical procedure. Because electro-acupuncture (EA) at the Neiguan (PC-6) and the Jianshi (PC-5) points influences hemodynamics, we hypothesize that electro-acupuncture at the traditionally used acupuncture points will reduce the severity of hypotension in patients who undergo liver transplantation. METHODS: Forty patients with end-stage liver disease who underwent orthotropic deceased donor liver transplantation were randomized into two groups. The norepinephrine (NE) group received norepinephrine as a vasoconstrictor, and the electro-acupuncture group received EA at the PC-5 and the PC-6 points for treatment of hypotension during anesthesia for the liver transplantation. The patients were monitored, during the three stages of liver transplantation by using hemodynamic parameters. RESULTS: During the three stages of liver transplantation, there were no significant differences in the hemodynamic measurements including the mean arterial pressure, heart rate and central venous pressure between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Electro-acupuncture at the acupuncture points reduced the severity and the incidence of hypotension during anesthesia for liver transplantation.