Acupuncture Antiarrhythmic Effects on Drug Refractory Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Study Protocol for a Randomized, Controlled Trial

Table 1

Inclusion and exclusion criteria of ACU-AF trial.

Inclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria

(1) Persistent AF lasting ≥7 days; (2) Aged 20–75 years; (3) Resistant with AAD (flecainide); (4) Written informed consent

(1) Age <20 years or >75 years; (2) Severe valvular heart disease; (3) History of open heart surgery; (4) History of treatment for MI within 6 weeks; (5) Patients taking or requiring administration of antiviral drugs; (6) 2nd degree atrioventricular block or more than two fascicular blocks; (7) Severe pulmonary, liver, or renal disease; (8) Previous acupuncture treatment for cardiovascular condition within 3 months; (9) Patients who are contraindicated to flecainide

AAD: antiarrhythmic drugs; ACU-AF: acupuncture in persistent atrial fibrillation; AF: atrial fibrillation; and MI: myocardial infarction.