BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The central and peripheral nervous systems are often affected in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, especially those with prolonged assisted ventilation and sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The autonomic nervous system, however, has been under-investigated in such patients. We evaluated autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in 29 ICU patients with various neurological disorders. METHODS: Testing involved cardiac R-R variation (CRRV) as an index of parasympathetic function and the sympathetic skin response (SSR) for sympathetic assessment. RESULTS: Only those 8 patients with sepsis-related neuropathy or encephalopathy had abnormal CRRV, while the SSR was absent in all but 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary study revealed a high incidence of autonomic dysfunction in ICU patients with various neurological disorders.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The central and peripheral nervous systems are often affected in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, especially those with prolonged assisted ventilation and sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The autonomic nervous system, however, has been under-investigated in such patients. We evaluated autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in 29 ICU patients with various neurological disorders. METHODS: Testing involved cardiac R-R variation (CRRV) as an index of parasympathetic function and the sympathetic skin response (SSR) for sympathetic assessment. RESULTS: Only those 8 patients with sepsis-related neuropathy or encephalopathy had abnormal CRRV, while the SSR was absent in all but 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary study revealed a high incidence of autonomic dysfunction in ICU patients with various neurological disorders.
Authors: Sae Young Jae; Kevin S Heffernan; Soo-Hyun Park; Sun-Hae Jung; Eun Sun Yoon; Euy Jin Kim; Eui Soo Ahn; Bo Fernhall Journal: Clin Auton Res Date: 2010-05-01 Impact factor: 4.435
Authors: L Wieske; D R P P Chan Pin Yin; C Verhamme; M J Schultz; I N van Schaik; J Horn Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2013-06-21 Impact factor: 17.440