Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction correlates with brain MRI lesion load in MS.

摘要

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the cardiovascular autonomic control in clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with a standardised battery of cardiovascular tests and to correlate these findings with the brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion load. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with MS and 50 healthy controls were studied. Brain MRI was performed in all patients showing typical MS lesions. The cardiovascular tests were carried out using a standardised battery. RESULTS: Heart rate (HR) responses to deep breathing [Formula: see text] and tilt table testing [Formula: see text] were significantly decreased in MS patients when compared to those of the controls. Blood pressure (BP) responses in the tilt table test were also impaired in MS patients (diastolic [Formula: see text] systolic [Formula: see text] ). Of the different brain areas investigated the total volume of the midbrain MRI lesions [Formula: see text] was the one most clearly associated with the impaired BP responses. CONCLUSIONS: MS results in both reduced HR variation and decreased BP reactions indicating disturbed cardiovascular regulation. In particular, the midbrain lesions found in MS are associated with cardiovascular dysfunction.