Safety of Acupuncture in Patients Taking Newer Oral Anticoagulants: A Retrospective Chart Review Study
Table 1
Checklist for acupuncture-related side effects.
Item
Definition
Microbleeding
The number of microbleeds was checked according to the time of hemostasis 10 s after removal of the acupuncture needle. This procedure was routinely carried out by Korean medicine doctors. Bleeding that stopped within 30 s was defined as “microbleeding.” Multiple bleeding events occurring during one acupuncture session were considered to be one episode of bleeding.
Extensive bleeding
Bleeding that took at least 30 s to stop.
Time taken to achieve hemostasis
Massive hemorrhage influencing vital signs or causing other complications
Bruising
Bruising checked 1–3 h after removing the needles.
Edema
Faintness or dizziness, fatigue or exhaustion, nausea or vomiting
