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Lower body negative pressure: a test of cardiovascular autonomic function
A R Patel1, J E Engstrom, L D Tusing
1Autonomic Laboratory, Department of Neurology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Muscle & Nerve
|March 27, 2001
Summary
Lower body negative pressure (LBNP) offers a promising alternative to the Valsalva maneuver (VM) for testing cardiovascular autonomic function. Studies show comparable heart rate and blood pressure responses, suggesting LBNP
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Autonomic Nervous System Function
- Non-invasive Diagnostic Testing
Background:
- The Valsalva maneuver (VM) is a standard test for cardiovascular autonomic function.
- Some patients cannot perform the VM due to physical limitations.
- An alternative, accessible testing method is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) as an alternative to the VM.
- To compare cardiovascular autonomic responses between LBNP and VM.
- To assess the correlation of heart rate responses between the two methods.
Main Methods:
- LBNP at -40 mmHg for 30 seconds was applied to participants.
- The VM at 40 mmHg for 15 seconds was also performed.
- Continuous measurement of heart rate and blood pressure across three age groups (10-55 years).
Main Results:
- Comparable heart rate and blood pressure responses were observed between LBNP and VM.
- LBNP elicited moderately diminished changes in blood pressure and heart rate.
- A high correlation (R(2) = 0.5711) was found when LBNP heart rate response was converted to a VM-comparable ratio.
Conclusions:
- LBNP demonstrates potential as a viable alternative test for cardiovascular autonomic function in healthy individuals.
- The less pronounced physiological changes with LBNP may be due to its more passive nature.
- Further research is needed to enhance LBNP device accessibility and establish normative data for patient populations.