Association between endothelial function and autonomic modulation in patients with Chagas disease

Under homeostatic condition, the autonomic nervous system (ANS), through the release of vasoconstrictor neurotransmitters, and the endothelium, through the release of vasodilating substances, interact to maintain blood vessel tone. However, the association between those two systems in patients with Chagas disease in its indeterminate phase (IChD) has not been studied.

To assess the association between autonomic modulation parameters and endothelial function in patients with IChD.

Thirteen patients with IChD (59.2 ± 11.23 years) and no risk factors for cardiovascular disease were assessed for autonomic modulation by using the blood pressure oscillometric method (Finapress) and the heart rate variability technique (HRV) in the frequency domain. Endothelial function was assessed by use of the brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) method with high-resolution ultrasound images.

In the dorsal decubitus position, correlation of FMD was observed with normalized high-frequency (r = 0.78; p = 0.007) and low-frequency spectral components (r = 0.68; p = 0.01), as well as with sympathovagal balance (r = -0.78; p = 0.004).

Our study indicates the existence of a relationship between the changes in autonomic modulation and endothelial function in patients with IChD.