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Muscle sympathetic outflow in Buerger's disease
1First Department of Surgery, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
Journal of the Autonomic Nervous System
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Patients with Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans) exhibit lower basal muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSA). However, their MSA shows a heightened response to cold stimuli, suggesting a role in the disease's vasospastic features.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Medicine
- Autonomic Nervous System
Background:
- Buerger's disease, or thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), is characterized by vasospastic phenomena.
- The sympathetic nervous system is implicated in the pathophysiology of TAO.
- Understanding sympathetic mechanisms is crucial for TAO management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of sympathetic nervous system activity in Buerger's disease.
- To investigate sympathetic responsiveness to cold stimuli in patients with TAO.
Main Methods:
- Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSA) was measured using microneurography.
- The cold pressor test (hand immersion in ice water) was employed to assess sympathetic response.
- MSA levels and responsiveness were compared between TAO patients and a control group.
Main Results:
- Patients with TAO demonstrated significantly lower basal MSA compared to controls.
- TAO patients exhibited a markedly higher increase in MSA in response to the cold pressor test.
- This hyperresponsiveness of MSA to cold stimulus was directly observed.
Conclusions:
- Sympathetic nervous system hyperresponsiveness to cold stimuli is a feature of Buerger's disease.
- This heightened sympathetic activity may contribute to the vasospastic characteristics of TAO.
- Further research into sympathetic modulation could offer therapeutic avenues for TAO.