Baroreflex sensitivity is associated with post-stroke infections. An open, prospective study.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Cardiology

Background:

• The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a crucial role in post-stroke immunosuppression, increasing infection susceptibility.
• Understanding the link between ANS activity and infections post-stroke is vital for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity measured at hospital admission and the incidence of post-stroke infections.

Main Methods:

• Prospective analysis of acute ischemic stroke patients.
• Autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity assessed via cross-correlational baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) at admission.
• In-hospital infections monitored, with demographic and clinical data (stroke severity, dysphagia, invasive procedures) collected.

Main Results:

• Of 161 ischemic stroke patients, 49 (30.4%) developed nosocomial infections within 7 days.
• Infected patients exhibited significantly lower BRS (3 vs 5 ms/mmHg) and higher initial NIHSS scores (15 vs 5).
• Decreased BRS, elevated admission NIHSS, and invasive procedures were independently associated with post-stroke infections.

Conclusions:

• Reduced baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is independently associated with infections following ischemic stroke.
• Autonomic nervous system shifts may contribute to increased infection susceptibility after stroke.
• Further research is warranted to explore the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of these findings.