Objective: To observe the effect of different needle-retaining duration on hemorheology in ischemic stroke patients in order to explore its underlying mechanism in the treatment of ischemic stroke.Methods: A total of 251 ischemic apoplexy patients were

according to their state(mild

moderate and severe) of disease

randomly divided into 20 min

40 min and 60 min groups respectively.Acupoints Jianyu(LI 15)

Quchi(LI 11)

Waiguan(TE 5)

Hegu(LI 4)

Futu(ST 32)

Zusanli(ST 36)

etc.were punctured and stimulated electrically with parameters of 2 Hz

2-6 mA for 20 min

40 min and 60 min separately

once daily for 10 times.In addition

the patients were also treated with medicines for lowering intracranial pressure as manicol

etc.Higher shearing rate(HSR) and lower shearing rate(LSR) of whole blood viscosity(ηb)

plasma viscosity(ηp)

hematocrit(HCT) and profibrin were detected separately before and after the treatment.Results: After acupuncture treatment

of the 83

80 and 82 cases in 20 min

40 min and 60 min groups

3(3.61%)

4(5.00%) and 9(10.98%) were cured basically

15(18.07%)

17(21.25%) and 21(25.61%) experienced remarkable improvement in their symptoms and signs

24(28.92%)

33(41.25%) and 40(48.78%) had an improvement

41(49.40%)

26(32.50%) and 12(14.63%) failed in the treatment

with the markedly effective rates being 21.68%

26.25% and 36.59% and the effective rates being 50.60%

67.50% and 85.37% separately.The effective rate of 60 min group was significantly higher than those of 20 min and 40 min groups(P<0.01

0.05). Self-comparison showed that HSR

LSR of ηb

ηp

HCT and profibrin levels decreased considerably in comparison with pre-treatment in each group(P<0.01).Difference values of HSR

LSR

ηp

HCT and profibrin(pre-treatment-those of post-treatment) in 60 min group were significantly higher than those of 20 min and 40 min groups(P<0.05

0.01)

and those of HSR

HCT and profibrin of 40 min group were markedly higher than those of 20 min group(P<0.01

0.05).The therapeutic effect of 60 min group was the best.Conclusion: Acupuncture can effectively improve stroke patients' symptoms and signs

and lower various parameters of hemorheology.