The Pilot Study of Evaluating Fluctuation in the Blood Flow Volume of the Radial Artery, a Site for Traditional Pulse Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Radial artery (RA) pulse diagnosis has been used in traditional Asian medicine. Blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate related to heart rate variability (HRV) can be monitored via the RA. The fluctuation in these parameters has been assessed using fast Fourier transform (FFT) analytical methods that calculate power spectra. METHODS: We measured blood flow volume (Volume) in the RA and evaluated its fluctuations. Normal participants (n = 34) were enrolled. We measured the hemodynamics of the right RA for approximately 50 s using ultrasonography. RESULTS: The parameters showed the center frequency (CF) of the power spectrum at low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF). More than one spectral component indicated that there were fluctuations. The CF at LF for Volume was significantly different from that for vessel diameter (VD); however, it was significantly correlated with blood flow velocity (Velocity). On the other hand, the CF at HF for Volume was significantly different from that for Velocity; however, it was significantly correlated with VD. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that fluctuation in the Volume at LF of RA is influenced by the fluctuation in Velocity; on the other hand, fluctuation in the Volume at HF is influenced by the fluctuation in VD.

Changes of blood flow volume in the superior mesenteric artery and brachial artery with abdominal thermal stimulation.

In traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion is a local thermal therapy that is used for several conditions. Quantifying the effects of moxibustion therapy has been difficult because the treatment temperature depends on the physician's experience, and the temperature distribution in the target area is not uniform. This prospective observational study aims to quantify the effect of local thermal stimulation to the abdomen. We developed a heat transfer control device (HTCD) for local thermal stimulation. Twenty-four healthy subjects were enrolled and they underwent abdominal thermal stimulation to the para-umbilical region with the device for 20 min. Blood flow volume in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and brachial artery (BA), the heart rate and the blood pressure were measured at rest, 15 min after starting thermal stimulation and 10, 20, 30 and 40 min after completing thermal stimulation. Blood flow parameters were measured by high-resolution ultrasound. In the SMA, blood flow volume was significantly increased during thermal stimulation (P < .01), as well as at 10 min (P < .01) and 20 min (P < .05) after stimulation. In the BA, blood flow volume decreased at 40 min after stimulation (P < .01). In conclusion we could quantify the effect of local thermal stimulation with an HTCD and high-resolution ultrasound. Thermal stimulation of the para-umbilical region increased blood flow in the SMA 20 min after stimulation in healthy subjects.

The effect of warming of the abdomen and of herbal medicine on superior mesenteric artery blood flow - a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: In traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine, warming the abdomen with moxibustion or herbal medicines has been used for various diseases. However, the effects of these therapies on hemodynamics have not been clear. We clarify the physiological effects of these therapies on the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: 28 healthy male volunteers were randomly assigned to groups A and B. Group A (n = 14) underwent local thermal stimulation of the paraumbilical region for 20 min at a temperature of 40 °C; this simulated the heat and mechanical pressure effects of moxibustion. Group B (n = 14) took the herbal medicine Daikenchuto (TJ-100; 5.0 g) with distilled water. As a control, group C (n = 14) took distilled water alone. Blood flow volume in the SMA was measured by ultrasound from rest to 50 min after the start of each intervention. RESULTS: The SMA blood flow volume increased significantly between 10 to 40 min after the start of thermal stimulation (p < 0.05), and it also increased significantly between 10 to 50 min after administration of TJ-100 (p < 0.01) as compared to the resting volume. However, SMA blood flow volume did not change significantly after administration of water alone. There was no significant difference in SMA blood flow changes between groups A and B. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that one of the physiological effects of warming the abdomen according to a traditional concept in thermal stimulation and herbal medicine is an increase of SMA blood flow volume.

Brief effect of acupuncture on the peripheral arterial system of the upper limb and systemic hemodynamics in humans.

BACKGROUND: Pulse diagnosis of the peripheral artery is an important technique in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where, in acupuncture therapy, the treatment is adjusted according to the observed changes of the pulse. We investigated the change of blood flow in the peripheral artery and the cardiac index during acupuncture treatment. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to explore the effect of acupuncture on radial and brachial artery blood flow volume and the cardiac index in healthy subjects. METHODS: Eighteen (18) healthy volunteers were enrolled. Acupuncture was performed bilaterally on LR-3 with manual rotation of the needles. The blood pressure and heart rate were measured at rest and 180 seconds after acupuncture. Radial and brachial artery blood flow volume was monitored continuously by an ultrasound with an echo-tracking system. Cardiac index was measured by impedance cardiography. The hemodynamic parameters were measured before, during, and 30, 60, 180 seconds after acupuncture. RESULTS: The peripheral artery blood flow volume decreased significantly during acupuncture (radial; p < 0.01, brachial; p < 0.05) but increased at 180 seconds after acupuncture (radial; p < 0.05, brachial; p < 0.05) compared with before acupuncture. The cardiac index did not change significantly after acupuncture, but systemic vascular resistance index significantly decreased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that radial and brachial artery blood flow volume decreased immediately during acupuncture on LR-3 acupoint, but increased at 180 seconds after acupuncture. This reaction is attributed to the change in peripheral vascular resistance.

Radial artery hemodynamic changes related to acupuncture.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the radial pulse by palpation (pulse diagnosis) is an important diagnostic technique in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), but the changes of blood flow volume in the radial artery during and after acupuncture are unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the changes of radial artery blood flow volume during and after acupuncture in healthy subjects. DESIGN: This study was conducted as a pilot study utilizing a one-group intervention design. SETTING: The study was conducted at a TCM outpatient clinic of Tohoku University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six healthy volunteers participated in the study. INTERVENTION: Acupuncture was performed at LR-3 bilaterally with manual rotation of the needles. OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood pressure was measured at rest and 180 seconds after acupuncture. Radial artery hemodynamics were monitored continuously with a high-resolution ultrasound echo-tracking system. The vessel diameter and blood flow volume of the right radial artery and heart rate were measured at rest, before acupuncture, during acupuncture, and 30, 60, and 180 seconds after acupuncture. RESULTS: The systolic and diastolic diameter of the radial artery did not significantly change. Radial artery blood flow volume decreased significantly during acupuncture (mean +/- SD, 0.16 +/- 0.11 mL/sec per m(2); P < .01) compared with baseline (0.43 +/- 0.27 mL/sec per m(2)), but was increased at 180 seconds after acupuncture (0.54 +/- 0.28 mL/sec per m(2); P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that radial artery blood flow volume decreased immediately during acupuncture at the LR-3 acupoint, but was increased at 180 seconds after acupuncture.

The herbal medicine Daikenchuto increases blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery.

Daikenchuto is a traditional herbal medicine that is used for the treatment of cold feeling in the abdomen, while Orengedokuto, also a traditional herbal medicine, is used for treating inflammatory and ulcerative diseases affecting internal organs. However, the effects of these herbal medicines on cardiac output (CO) and intestinal blood flow have never been investigated. This examiner-blinded randomized crossover study intended to clarify the influence of Daikenchuto and Orengedokuto on CO and blood flow volume in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Fourteen healthy men (35 +/- 7 years old) were randomly assigned to two groups: group A and group B. Initially, all subjects were given 50 ml of water orally. After 7 days, subjects in group A were given 5.0 g of Daikenchuto, and 7 days later they were given 2.5 g of Orengedokuto. These herbal medicines were given to group B subjects in the reverse order. CO and SMA blood flow volume were measured from rest to 90 min after the administration of water or each medicine. There was a significant increase in SMA blood flow volume after the administration of Daikenchuto, compared to water alone (p < 0.05) and Orengedokuto (p < 0.05). SMA blood flow volume was significantly increased between 5 and 90 min after administration of Daikenchuto (p < 0.01) compared to the resting state. However, there was no significant change in CO after the administration of either agent. The present study indicates that Daikenchuto increases SMA blood flow volume without increasing CO.