In 1972

we first introduced acupuncture for intraeardiac surgery with extracoporeal circulationand 230 operations were performed under acupuncture anesthesia up to August 1978.Acupuncture points were selected on the ears and extremities in accordance with the channelsand were divided into ten groups which showed no prominent difference as to their efficiency.The effect of acupuncture anesthesia graded according to the national unified standard wasexcellent in 42 cases(18.3%)

good in 117 cases(50.9%)

fine in 52 cases(22.7%) and poorin 19 cases(8.2%).A random portion of cases was continuously monitored with a polygraph which recorded EEG

ECG

phlethysmogram

galvanic skin response

EMG and respiratory tracings during major steps ofthe operative procedure.The EEG showed a predominance of a rhythm throughout the operativecourse and in some cases there was sporadic or transient appearance of θ or δ rhythm during thecardiopulmonary bypass

which disappeared after termination of the bypass.The ECG demonstratedauricular or ventricular extrasystoles occasionally in some cases before thecardiopulmonary bypassand supraventricular tachycardia in 1/3 of the cases after the bypass.Phlethysmographie tracing disappeared during the course of the bypass.The appearance of galvanic skin response occurred at any manoeuvre of body such as skindisinfection and skin incision with subsidence or disappearance after thoracotomy.Throughout the operation

there were EMC changes during the incision of skin

splitting of thesternum and suturing up of the skin.Spontaneous respiration was held in most of cases during perfusion and recovered 1-2 minutes after its termination.There was no correlation between theeffect and grading of acupuncture anesthesia and plethysmogram

galvanic skin response

EMG andrespiratory tracing.Respiratory spirometry did not demonstrate marked changes before and afterthoracotomy

as well as preoperatively

and the other parameters of blood gas analysis in a portionof cases showed metabolic acidosis before the start and during the course of the bypass

whichreturned to normal 3 hours after its termination.Finally this paper discusses the effect of acupuncture anesthesia on the central nervous

circulatory and respiratory systems under direct vision intracardiae operations.Measures to increase the analgesic effect of acupuncture anesthesia are also mentioned.