The vasodilatory effect of acupuncture and medicine-cake-separated moxibustion on a 28-year course of Takayasu arteritis: a case report

IntroductionLarge vessel vasculitis (LVV) is a complex inflammatory condition that primarily affects large blood vessels, leading to stenosis or occlusion and thereby disrupting normal blood flow. This case study presents a 71-year-old female Asian patient who experienced recurrent dyspnea and gener...

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Main Authors: Zheqi Wang, Gao Sang, Feijin Lin, Yingjun Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1562746/full
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author Zheqi Wang
Gao Sang
Feijin Lin
Yingjun Liu
author_facet Zheqi Wang
Gao Sang
Feijin Lin
Yingjun Liu
author_sort Zheqi Wang
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionLarge vessel vasculitis (LVV) is a complex inflammatory condition that primarily affects large blood vessels, leading to stenosis or occlusion and thereby disrupting normal blood flow. This case study presents a 71-year-old female Asian patient who experienced recurrent dyspnea and generalized fatigue since 1996 and was diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis (TAK) in 2000. Despite undergoing multiple interventions, her symptoms persisted. In 2008, she began treatment with acupuncture and medicine-cake-separated moxibustion. Specific local and distal acupoints were targeted, and moxibustion with earthworm powder cakes was applied, using 3–5 moxa cones per session. Significant improvements in fatigue and dyspnea were observed following three treatment sessions. Over half year period of continuous treatment, the patient experienced complete resolution of symptoms, including the return of the previously non-palpable left radial pulse. Imaging studies conducted in 2009, 2011, 2016, 2019, and 2022 showed increased blood flow in the left common carotid artery and the development of collateral circulation, along with symptom relief, thus confirming the stability of the condition.Case summaryThis case study describes a female Asian patient, born in 1953, who experienced dyspnea and fatigue since 1996 and was diagnosed with TAK in 2000. She commenced treatment in 2008, which comprised acupuncture and medicine-cake-separated moxibustion. Following six courses of treatment, significant improvements in fatigue and dyspnea were noted. During the 14-year follow-up period, the patient experienced near-complete resolution of symptoms.ConclusionThis study underscores the significant improvement and sustained post-treatment effects of acupuncture combined with moxibustion using a separated medicine cake in managing late-stage LVV.
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spelling doaj-art-682467aed3dd44daae26993707726ddb2025-08-20T03:13:30ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine2297-055X2025-05-011210.3389/fcvm.2025.15627461562746The vasodilatory effect of acupuncture and medicine-cake-separated moxibustion on a 28-year course of Takayasu arteritis: a case reportZheqi Wang0Gao Sang1Feijin Lin2Yingjun Liu3The Department of Chinese Traditional Medicine, The Hangzhou Children’s Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, ChinaThe Department of Chinese Traditional Medicine, The Hangzhou Children’s Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, ChinaThe Department of Chinese Traditional Medicine, The Hangzhou Children’s Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, ChinaThe Acupuncture & Moxibustion Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, ChinaIntroductionLarge vessel vasculitis (LVV) is a complex inflammatory condition that primarily affects large blood vessels, leading to stenosis or occlusion and thereby disrupting normal blood flow. This case study presents a 71-year-old female Asian patient who experienced recurrent dyspnea and generalized fatigue since 1996 and was diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis (TAK) in 2000. Despite undergoing multiple interventions, her symptoms persisted. In 2008, she began treatment with acupuncture and medicine-cake-separated moxibustion. Specific local and distal acupoints were targeted, and moxibustion with earthworm powder cakes was applied, using 3–5 moxa cones per session. Significant improvements in fatigue and dyspnea were observed following three treatment sessions. Over half year period of continuous treatment, the patient experienced complete resolution of symptoms, including the return of the previously non-palpable left radial pulse. Imaging studies conducted in 2009, 2011, 2016, 2019, and 2022 showed increased blood flow in the left common carotid artery and the development of collateral circulation, along with symptom relief, thus confirming the stability of the condition.Case summaryThis case study describes a female Asian patient, born in 1953, who experienced dyspnea and fatigue since 1996 and was diagnosed with TAK in 2000. She commenced treatment in 2008, which comprised acupuncture and medicine-cake-separated moxibustion. Following six courses of treatment, significant improvements in fatigue and dyspnea were noted. During the 14-year follow-up period, the patient experienced near-complete resolution of symptoms.ConclusionThis study underscores the significant improvement and sustained post-treatment effects of acupuncture combined with moxibustion using a separated medicine cake in managing late-stage LVV.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1562746/fullacupuncturemedicine-cake-separated moxibustionlong courseTakayasu arteritiscase report
spellingShingle Zheqi Wang
Gao Sang
Feijin Lin
Yingjun Liu
The vasodilatory effect of acupuncture and medicine-cake-separated moxibustion on a 28-year course of Takayasu arteritis: a case report
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
acupuncture
medicine-cake-separated moxibustion
long course
Takayasu arteritis
case report
title The vasodilatory effect of acupuncture and medicine-cake-separated moxibustion on a 28-year course of Takayasu arteritis: a case report
title_full The vasodilatory effect of acupuncture and medicine-cake-separated moxibustion on a 28-year course of Takayasu arteritis: a case report
title_fullStr The vasodilatory effect of acupuncture and medicine-cake-separated moxibustion on a 28-year course of Takayasu arteritis: a case report
title_full_unstemmed The vasodilatory effect of acupuncture and medicine-cake-separated moxibustion on a 28-year course of Takayasu arteritis: a case report
title_short The vasodilatory effect of acupuncture and medicine-cake-separated moxibustion on a 28-year course of Takayasu arteritis: a case report
title_sort vasodilatory effect of acupuncture and medicine cake separated moxibustion on a 28 year course of takayasu arteritis a case report
topic acupuncture
medicine-cake-separated moxibustion
long course
Takayasu arteritis
case report
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1562746/full
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