Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in chronic uraemics on haemodialysis

A battery of cardiovascular reflex tests were performed in 35 patients with chronic renal failure on intermittent haemodialysis. An impairment of parasympathetic control was found isolated (14%) or combined with a damage of sympathetic control of cardiovascular system (26%). Moreover, maximum conduction velocity along sensory and motor fibres of posterior tibial nerve was measured in 21 patients. Autonomic dysfunction and somatic neuropathy did not appear strictly related.