Acupuncture for Preventing Atrial Arrhythmia Recurrence After Ablation

Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Atrial Tachyarrhythmia Prevention After Catheter Ablation in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Patients: a Prospective, Open-label, Randomized, Blank-controlled Trial

This study aims to evaluate whether acupuncture can reduce the recurrence of atrial arrhythmias after catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. Catheter ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation, but recurrence remains common, especially in persistent cases.

In this prospective, randomized, open-label trial, 120 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation who have undergone successful catheter ablation will be enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group will receive acupuncture in addition to standard medical therapy, while the control group will receive standard medical therapy alone.

Participants will be followed for 12 months. The primary outcome is the recurrence of atrial arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia. Secondary outcomes include cardiac structure and function, atrial fibrillation burden, and quality of life.

This study will provide clinical evidence on whether acupuncture can be an effective adjunctive therapy to improve outcomes after catheter ablation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 20 to 75 years
• Persistent atrial fibrillation
• Undergoing first-time catheter ablation with successful restoration of sinus rhythm
• Left atrial diameter <50 mm
• Able to understand the study and provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cardiovascular events within the past 3 months (including stroke, transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or cardiac surgery)

• Symptomatic hypotension with systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg on two consecutive measurements

• Severe valvular heart disease or other significant structural heart disease

• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planned pregnancy during the study period

• History of pacemaker implantation

• Second- or third-degree atrioventricular block

• Bifascicular or trifascicular block

• Acupuncture treatment for cardiovascular disease within the past 3 months

• Severe comorbid conditions, including:

  1. Malignant tumors
  2. Chronic infectious diseases
  3. Severe renal dysfunction (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m² or requiring dialysis)
  4. Moderate to severe liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh class B or C)
  5. Anemia (hemoglobin <90 g/L)
  6. Systemic diseases requiring steroid therapy
  7. Severe cognitive impairment or dementia
  8. Alcohol or substance abuse
  9. Life expectancy <12 months
  10. Poor compliance or inability to provide informed consent

• Participation in another interventional clinical study