Autonomic Nervous System Assessment
Autonomic Nervous System and Cardiovascular Assessment
Clinical autonomic function assessment allows us to evaluate the adaptation to standing as an indicator of the ability to control blood pressure and blood flow to the brain in an upright position. Reduction of blood flow to the brain in an upright position is the most common cause of fainting and may lead to falls. Indications for autonomic testing include fainting , falling unexplained loss of consciousness, orthostatic hypotension ( blood pressure reduction during standing) and postprandial hypotension (blood pressure reduction after a meal). Abnormalities in autonomic nervous system control are commonly associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, diseases of nervous system, Parkinson's disease etc.
Autonomic testing
- Head-up tilt test
- Valsalva maneuver test
- Cardiorespiratory coupling
- Treadmill and exercise studies
24 hour blood pressure monitoring
24 hour blood pressure monitoring allows reliable assessment of blood pressure during daytime, night and sleep, and is more sensitive to detect early abnormalities in blood pressure control
- 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (Dynapulse 5000 Auto, PulseMetric Inc (http://www.pulsemetric.com).
- 24-hour electrocardiogram, muscle activity, gait, activity monitoring (ME6000, Mega Elektronika, Inc)
Sleep monitoring
24-hour monitoring using an electrocardiogram and muscle activity can be used for assessment of sleep quality, daytime and nighttime activity and circadian rhythm studies
Instrumentation
Portable beat-to-beat noninvasive blood pressure monitoring (Finapress, Poratapress (http://www.finapres.com)
ECG
monitoring (Spacelabs, Inc), ME6000 (24 hour ECG recordings) Capnomac
Ultima CO2 (Datex Ohmeda, Inc) multichannel, multigas monitor for
respiratory, CO2, O2 monitoring (http://www.datex-ohmeda.com)
