Acupuncture is believed to increase blood pressure in people who struggle with low blood pressure. This is a common problem facing people with heart failure, and sometimes these people need to take medications to artificially increase their blood pressure. This study is designed to determine if using acupuncture in people with heart failure can improve their blood pressure enough to not require medications to artificially increase blood pressure.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
40
Delivery of four acupuncture seeds (no needles involved) to the head and neck area at true acupuncture points.
Delivery of four acupuncture seeds (no needles involved) to the head and neck area at non-acupuncture points.
Scripps La Jolla Medical Center
La Jolla, California, United States
RECRUITINGScripps Shiley Integrative Center
La Jolla, California, United States
RECRUITINGBlood Pressure
Change in mean arterial blood pressure, as measured by blood pressure cuff in sitting position
Time frame: 9 weeks
Blood Pressure adjusted for Medication
Change in mean arterial blood pressure, as measured by blood pressure cuff in sitting position, adjusted for midodrine/fludrocortisone dose as covariate
Time frame: 9 weeks
Standing Blood Pressure adjusted for Medication
Change in mean arterial blood pressure, as measured by blood pressure cuff in standing position, adjusted for midodrine/fludrocortisone dose as covariate
Time frame: 9 weeks
Medication Dose Change
Percentage change in median dose of midodrine or fludrocortisone (in mg per week)
Time frame: 9 weeks
Got off medications
Number of patients who came off of midodrine or fludrocortisone by end of study
Time frame: 9 weeks
NYHA Class
Change in NYHA Class
Time frame: Start, 5 weeks, and 9 weeks
Quality of Life Score
Change in Quality of Life scores by VAS
Time frame: Start, 5 weeks, and 9 weeks
Composite Safety Outcome
Composite of skin injury, symptomatic hypotension, hospitalization for heart failure exacerbation or syncope or hypotension, implantation of LVAD/MCS device or heart transplantation, or all-cause death
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: Throughout study, total time 9 weeks