Cardiovascular autonomie reflexes in brain infarction

Abstract

Background and Purpose Increased sympathetic activity is associated with cardiovascular complications in stroke, but the role of the parasympathetic nervous system has not been carefully outlined. In the present study our purpose was to assess quantitatively autonomic cardiovascular disturbances in brain infarction by measuring cardiovascular autonomie reflexes. Methods We studied the autonomie regulation of cardiovascular functions prospectively in 40 patients with brain infarction (acute phase, 1 month, and 6 months) and in 55 healthy control subjects by recording heart rate and blood pressure responses to normal and deep breathing, the Valsalva maneuver, tilting, and isometric work. Results In the acute phase, heart rate responses to normal breathing, deep breathing, the Valsalva maneuver, and tilting were significantly (P