Location-dependent patterns in cardio-autonomic dysfunction in ischaemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY PURPOSE: Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is a common complication of acute cerebrovascular disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible location-dependent difference in cardio-autonomic function in patients with ischaemic stroke.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sympathetic function was prospectively assessed by determining plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine in 19 patients with left-hemisphere (LH), 14 with right-hemisphere (RH) and 6 with brainstem/cerebellar (BS) stroke. Blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output and transcranial flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery were recorded during the first 5 days after stroke.

RESULTS: Stroke caused an initial increase in sympathetic function in all 3 groups with a spontaneous decrease in norepinephrine in LH (p < 0.01) and BS stroke (p < 0.05) only. Norepinephrine was significantly higher in RH than in BS stroke (p < 0.05). The alterations in autonomic function were paralleled by a sustained elevation in cardiovascular parameters mainly in RH stroke.

CONCLUSIONS: Plasma catecholamines are feasible in monitoring location-dependent autonomic dysfunction in ischaemic stroke. Hemispheric lateralization in autonomic control should be taken into account in the management of stroke because of an increased susceptibility to cardio-autonomic dysfunction in patients with RH stroke.