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Cardiovascular autonomic reflexes in brain infarction
J T Korpelainen1, K A Sotaniemi, K Suominen
1Department of Neurology, University of Oulu, Finland.
Stroke
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Brain infarction (stroke) impairs parasympathetic nervous system function, affecting cardiovascular autonomic reflexes. This autonomic dysfunction may contribute to stroke-related complications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Autonomic Function
- Neurology
- Stroke Research
Background:
- Sympathetic overactivity is linked to stroke complications.
- The role of the parasympathetic nervous system in stroke is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess autonomic cardiovascular disturbances in brain infarction.
- To measure cardiovascular autonomic reflexes in stroke patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 40 brain infarction patients and 55 healthy controls.
- Measured heart rate and blood pressure responses to breathing, Valsalva, tilting, and isometric work.
- Evaluated autonomic regulation at acute, 1-month, and 6-month phases post-infarction.
Main Results:
- Acute phase: Impaired heart rate responses to autonomic tests in both hemispheric and brain stem infarctions, indicating parasympathetic hypofunction.
- 1-month phase: Persistent significant impairment in responses to breathing, Valsalva, and tilting.
- 6-month phase: Significant impairment only in tilting response for hemispheric infarctions.
Conclusions:
- Brain infarction causes parasympathetic hypofunction alongside known sympathetic hyperfunction.
- This parasympathetic dysfunction may contribute to autonomic failure and complications post-stroke.