The effect of spinal cord stimulation upon peripheral blood flow in patients with chronic neurological disease

The impact of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) upon patients with chronic neurological disease appears to be primarily upon autonomic functions. There is clinical evidence of increased blood flow in the lower limbs. In the present study, cutaneous blood flow was measured by means of xenon clearance in the legs and feet of patients receiving SCS for chronic neurological disease. In 8 patients pre-SCS cutaneous blood flow was compared with that during SCS. In 7 out of the 8 patients there was an increase in total cutaneous blood flow during stimulation. The mean pre-SCS value was 2.43 +/- 1.57 ml per 100 g of tissue and this rose to 3.23 +/- 1.81 ml per 100 g of tissue per minute during stimulation. The possible mechanisms for the increased cutaneous blood flow are discussed.