The present investigation was undertaken to observe the effects of head point-cardiovascular point needling on the cardiac function and hemodynamics in 8 anesthetized dogs

arid to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and its clinical implications. Cardiovascular point needling might induce significant changes in cardiac function and hemodynamic parameters: arterial systolic pressure decreased by 22.4±8.88 from 104.6±20.55mmHg

diastolic pressure by 16.7±8.04 from 66.5±18.03mmHg

mean arterial pressure by 18.6±8.16 from 79.2±18.36 mmHg

left ventricular end-diastolic pressure by 0.3±0.47 from 3.6±1.94 mmHg

Lv dp/dt max by 300.1±200.1 from 2000.1±700.8mmHg/s

coronary resistance by 399±310 from 1959±1150 dyn.s.cm-5

femoral arterial resistance by 242±634 from 2438±1595 dyn.s.cm

(-5)

total peripheral resistance by 1570.7 ±691.0 from 9000.2±2537.4 dyn.s.cm(-5)

total peripheral resistance by 1570.7 ±691.0 from 9000.2±2537.4 dyn.s.cm

(-5)

and left ventricular work index by 2.7±1.9 from 11.4±5.17kg.m/min/m(-5)

and left ventricular work index by 2.7±1.9 from 11.4±5.17kg.m/min/m

2

whereas the coronary sinus blood flow increased by 0.7±1.6 from 33.6±14.7ml/min. There were significant differences between the values of all parameters before and after cardiovascular point needling (p

>

0.005). The results indicated that cardiovascular point needling was capable of lowering the cardiac preload and afterload with resultant fall in blood pressure and cardiac oxygen consumption

as well as relaxing the coronary vessels and consequent increase in coronary blood flow with enhanced oxygen supply. These beneficial effects induced by cardiovascular point needling provided the basis for the treatment of hypertension

coronary artery diseases and cardiac failure in clinic.