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Cardiovascular responses to vibrostimulation for sperm retrieval in men with spinal cord injury
Victoria Elizabeth Claydon1, Stacy Lorraine Elliott, Andrew William Sheel
1International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Canada.
Insights
Vibrostimulation for sperm retrieval in men with spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause dangerous cardiovascular changes, including blood pressure spikes and arrhythmias. This highlights the need for careful monitoring during the procedure for individuals with SCI.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular physiology
- Neuroscience
- Reproductive medicine
Background:
- Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) often experience cardiovascular abnormalities and arrhythmias during vibrostimulation for sperm retrieval.
- Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is a known complication in SCI patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cardiovascular control during vibrostimulation for sperm retrieval in men with SCI.
- To assess the incidence of cardiovascular abnormalities and arrhythmias in this population.
Main Methods:
- Continuous blood pressure and electrocardiographic monitoring were performed on individuals with chronic cervical (n=8) and upper thoracic SCI (n=5).
- Sympathetic skin responses (SSR) and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scores were used to characterize autonomic and motor/sensory function.
- Vibrostimulation was applied to induce ejaculation, with cardiovascular parameters monitored throughout.
Main Results:
- Vibrostimulation significantly increased systolic blood pressure in most participants, particularly those with cervical SCI.
- A substantial proportion of subjects developed arrhythmias during ejaculation, including bradycardia, premature atrial contractions, and ventricular excitation.
- Autonomic dysreflexia and electrocardiographic abnormalities were observed in individuals with both cervical and high thoracic SCI.
Conclusions:
- The vibrostimulation procedure for sperm retrieval can induce significant cardiovascular changes and arrhythmias in men with SCI.
- These findings underscore the importance of vigilant cardiovascular monitoring during fertility procedures for individuals with SCI.
- Further research is warranted to optimize safety protocols for assisted reproductive technologies in SCI populations.
Background/Objective:
Cardiovascular abnormalities and arrhythmias are common in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who are undergoing vibrostimulation for sperm retrieval. The study aimed to examine cardiovascular control in men with SCI undergoing this procedure.
Methods:
Individuals with chronic cervical (n=8; age: 33.1 +/- 1.9 years) and upper thoracic SCI (n=5; age: 35.2 +/- 2.9 years) volunteered for vibrostimulation, with continuous blood pressure (Finometer) and electrocardiographic monitoring. Patients were characterized further by sympathetic skin responses (SSR) to assess descending autonomic spinal pathways and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scores to assess motor and sensory pathways.
Results:
All but one subject with cervical SCI were ASIA A or B and were negative for SSR in the hands and feet. All subjects with upper thoracic SCI were ASIA A or B and were positive for SSR in the hands. Systolic blood pressure was lower in men with cervical injury at rest. Vibrostimulation induced an increase in systolic blood pressure >20 mmHg in all patients with cervical SCI (range = 125/65 - 280/152; median = 167/143 mmHg) and in 2 thoracic subjects (151/104 and 170/121 mmHg). During ejaculation, 6 cervical and 3 thoracic subjects developed arrhythmias (5 with bradycardia, 6 with premature atrial contractions, 4 with ventricular excitation, 1 with junctional rhythm, and 1 with heart block).
Conclusion:
The vibrostimulation procedure induced electrocardiographic abnormalities and autonomic dysreflexia in subjects with either cervical or high thoracic SCI.