Experiments were made to observe the effect of acupuncture at "Nei- guan" point on acute myocardial infarction induced by the ligation of the left arterior descending coronary artery and to show whether there was relative specificity of "Neiguan" point. Twenty healthy dogs weighing 10～18kg were anesthetized with Intra- venous sodium pentobarbital (30 mg/kg) and ventilated with room air using a SC-1 respirator. Thoracotomy was performed through the left 4th or 5th intercostal space

the pericardium opened

and the heart suspended in a pericardial cradle. A root of the left arterior descending coronary arte- ry's second to third branch (LAD) about 1～2 cm long was isolated. Ele- ctrodes made of cotton were applied on the epicardial surface to record epicardial ECG with points. Epicardial ECG

ECG-Ⅱ lead and artery blood pressure were recorded simultaneously on RM-86 polygraph. The number (NST) of ST segment elevation exceeding 2mv showed the extent of the myocardial ischemic injury area

while the mean(ST) of the ST segment elevation from all 24 points represented the severity of myoca- rdial ischemic injury. It has been reported that the NST and ST values of epicardial ECG after the ligation of the LAD served as the control of one- self and between groups. The experiment was carried out in three groups: a control group and two acupuncture groups using "Neiguan" and "Zusanli" points respectively. The results are summarized below: Of the 20 dogs 6 developed ventricular fibrillation during coronary artery ligation or loosening and reperfusion

and they were not included in the study. 2

5

10

15 minutes after loosening the ligation and following repe- rfusion

the extent and severity of myocardial ischemic injury in the acu- puncture "Neiguan" point group were evidently reduced. The NST and ST values were statistically significant (P<0.05

0.01

0.01 and 0.05) as co- mpared with those in the control group

but there was no statistical dif- ference between control and acupuncture "Zusanli" point group. 2

5

10

15 and 30 minutes after loosening the ligation and following reperfusion

the extent (NST) and severity (ST) of myocardial ischemic injury in the acupuncture "Neiguan" point group were reduced and were statistically significant (P<0.01) as compared with those in the acupu- ncture "Zusanli" point group. These results suggested the relative specificity in the effect of acupuncture at "Neiguan" point to reduce the extent and severity of myocardial ischemic injury rather than acupuncture at "Zusanli" point. The effect of acupuncture at "Neiguan" point was probably brought about through the increase of coronary blood flow and blood oxygen sup- ply

and the improvement of the oxygen supply in myocardium.