The preventive and therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture on blood pressure and heart rate reduction in carotid artery stenting

ISRCTN ISRCTN31527328
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN31527328
Submission date
24/02/2025
Registration date
05/03/2025
Last edited
03/03/2025
Recruitment status
Recruiting
Overall study status
Ongoing
Condition category
Circulatory System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Carotid sinus reflex (CSR) is a common complication during and after carotid artery stenting (CAS), clinically manifested as bradycardia (slow heart rate) and hypotension (low blood pressure), which poses significant risks to patient safety. This study aims to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture on carotid sinus reaction occurring during and after carotid artery stenting.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 18-75 years diagnosed with carotid artery stenosis requiring carotid artery stenting

What does the study involve?
Participants will receive electroacupuncture treatment. The treatment is designed to stabilize hemodynamic changes (heart rate and blood pressure) during and after the carotid artery stenting procedure. The study will compare the outcomes of patients who receive electroacupuncture with those who do not, to evaluate its effectiveness in preventing or reducing carotid sinus reaction.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Possible benefits:
1. Participants may experience improved stabilization of heart rate and blood pressure during and after the procedure.
2. The study may contribute to a better understanding of how electroacupuncture can help manage carotid sinus reflex, potentially benefiting future patients with similar conditions.
Possible risks:
1. Normal reactions during acupuncture: You may experience sensations such as soreness, numbness, heaviness, or swelling, which are normal reactions to acupuncture. Additionally, dizziness may occur due to your physical condition or emotional tension, but it can be alleviated by stopping the acupuncture and resting appropriately.
2. Adverse reactions after acupuncture: Bleeding or hematoma may occur, but these can be resolved with local pressure. If an infection develops at the acupuncture site, your doctor will address it promptly.

Where is the study run from?
Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (China)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2024 to June 2026

Who is funding the study?
Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (China)

Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Shaosong Wang, wangssmail@163.com
2. Dr Chuanjin Song, songcjmail@163.com

Contact information

Ms Chuanjin Song
Public, Scientific

Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Beijing
100010
China

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0009-0001-0976-7676
Phone +86 (0)17812003007
Email songcjmail@163.com
Dr Shaosong Wang
Principal Investigator

Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Beijing
100010
China

Phone +86 (0)13269211249
Email wangssmail@163.com

Study information

Study designMulticenter interventional single-blinded randomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment, Safety, Efficacy
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleVagal regulation-mediated effects of electroacupuncture on prevention and treatment of carotid sinus reflex in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting
Study objectivesElectroacupuncture can prevent and treat carotid sinus reflex induced by carotid artery stenting
Ethics approval(s)

Approved 21/01/2025, Beijing Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital Ethics Committee (Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 23, Art Museum Back Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100010, China; +86 (0)10 8790 6734; website@bjzhongyi.com), ref: 2024BL02-139-01

Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPrevention and treatment of carotid sinus reflex in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting
InterventionThe randomization sequence will be generated by a statistician not involved in the trial using the random number table method. The allocation sequence will be concealed in sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque (non-recoverable) envelopes to ensure sequence confidentiality.

Participants will be randomly allocated (1:1) to either the treatment group or control group. One group will receive a single continuous electroacupuncture treatment during the surgical procedure on the operation day. The other group will receive a single continuous non-acupoint shallow needling on the operation day. The treatment duration will span from the beginning to the end of the surgical procedure. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (pre-intervention), on the operation day, daily from surgery completion to discharge, and at 4 weeks post-discharge.
Intervention typeProcedure/Surgery
Primary outcome measureThe incidence of carotid sinus reflex (CSR) incidence, calculated by comparing baseline blood pressure/heart rate with the lowest intraoperative and postoperative values recorded via continuous non-invasive monitoring and ECG during and after surgery
Secondary outcome measures1. Incidence of persistent carotid sinus reflex (CSR), measured using continuous hemodynamic monitoring data and anesthesia records intraoperatively and postoperatively until hospital discharge
2. Vasoactive drug utilization rate and postoperative pharmacological rescue rate: the percentage of patients requiring vasopressors/inotropes measured using anesthesia medication records and postoperative nursing charts during the procedure and postoperatively until discharge
3. Adverse event incidence rate: the frequency of complications (e.g., arrhythmias, stroke) measured using medical records and investigator-reported events from procedure initiation until hospital discharge
4. Neurological deficit measured using the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at preoperative baseline (1 day before surgery), 1 hour postoperatively, 24 hours postoperatively, on the day of discharge, and 4 weeks post-discharge
5. Length of hospital stay: days from admission to discharge measured using hospital medical records at the time of discharge
Overall study start date01/11/2024
Completion date01/06/2026

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit75 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants128
Key inclusion criteria1. European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2023-defined carotid stenosis
2. CAS-indicated per Chinese Guidelines 2015
3. Willingness for endovascular intervention
4. Aged 18-75 years inclusive
5. Signed informed consent
Key exclusion criteria1. Presence of cardiac pacemaker
2. Documented severe dysfunction in any major organ system (cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, or renal)
3. Identified coagulation disorders
4. Active skin infection at proposed acupuncture sites
5. Indication for emergency surgical intervention or additional neurointerventional procedures
6. Diagnosed psychiatric conditions or documented non-compliance that may compromise treatment protocol adherence
7. Documented intolerance to electroacupuncture therapy or history of severe adverse reactions
8. Anatomically unsuitable vascular access confirmed by imaging studies
Date of first enrolment22/01/2025
Date of final enrolment01/05/2026

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • China

Study participating centres

Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Capital Medical University
Department of Neurology
No. 23, Art Museum Back Street
Dongcheng District
Beijing
100010
China
Peking University First Hospital
No. 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District
Beijing
100034
China

Sponsor information

Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Hospital/treatment centre

No. 23, Art Museum Back Street, Dongcheng District
Beijing
100010
China

Phone +86 (0)10 52176677
Email website@bjzhongyi.com
Website https://www.bjzhongyi.com/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/057vq6e26

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date06/01/2027
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryOther
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication

Editorial Notes

24/02/2025: Study's existence confirmed by Beijing Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital Ethics Committee.