Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) of "Neiguan"(PC 6) on heart rate(HR) and plasma catecholamine(CA) levels in ventricular tachycardia(VT) rats.Methods A total of 50 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control

sham-operation(sham)

model

EA-PC 6 and EA-LU 7 groups

with 10 cases in each.VT model was established by intravenous injection of cesium chloride(CsCl) via femoral vein.Electrocardiogram(ECG) was recorded.EA(2 Hz/15 Hz

1 mA) was separately applied to bilateral "Neiguan"(PC 6) and "Lieque"(LU 7) for 5 minutes

followed by collecting blood samples for detecting plasma norepinephrine(NE) and epinephrine(E) levels with fluorometric method.Results In comparison with normal control group

plasma NE and E contents in model group increased apparently(P<0.01).Compared with model group

HR and plasma NE and E contents of EA-PC 6 group reduced significantly(P<0.01)

while those of EA-LU 7 had no apparent change(P>0.05).Conclusion EA of "Neiguan"(PC 6) can downregulate heart rate and plasma CA level in VT rats

which may contribute to its effect in relieving tachycardia.