Acupuncture Treatment for Patients Who Develop Arrhythmias in the Post-Operative Cardio-Thoracic Setting

Primary Aim • Evaluate the feasibility of providing acupuncture in the hospital setting for 20 patients undergoing open heart surgery and subsequently develop arrhythmias.

Secondary Aims

• Evaluate the short-term effect of acupuncture including the effects on patient's arrhythmias, stress, anxiety, and pain measured by Electrocardiogram monitoring and Electrocardiography, VAS scores, and WIWI questionnaire for the patient.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who have undergone CABG and/or cardiac valve operations.
• Patients developing postoperative atrial fibrillation, and documented by ECG prior to acupuncture intervention, and treated with the common anti arrhythmic treatment of the department.
• Patients moving to the step-down unit on postoperative day 2 or later.
• Ability to provide informed consent.
• Ability to speak English and complete all aspects of this trial.
• At least 18 years of age.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with any other cardiac or non-cardiac concomitant procedures.
• Patients with suspected sternal wound infection and/or with prolonged sternal wound dressing and wound- Vac-system application or open chest wound.
• Patients with abnormal postoperative track staying in the intensive care unit for any clinical reason or hemodynamic compromise.
• Patients with platelet count <50,000
• Patients in a severe immunocompromised state.
• Pregnant women. All patients who meet the criteria will have their medical records reviewed to ensure they are not pregnant.