Hemodynamic responses to head-up tilt after spinal cord injury support a role for the mid-thoracic spinal cord in cardiovascular regulation

V. Bluvshtein, A. D. Korczyn, S. Akselrod, I. Pinhas, I. Gelernter, A. Catz*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background:Data showing a role for the mid-thoracic spinal cord (SC) in the control of hemodynamic changes is scarce despite existing evidence for its involvement in autonomic regulation.Study design:On the basis of the open label prospective series comparing three groups.Objective:To determine whether the mid-thoracic SC has a role in hemodynamic regulation during head-up tilt (HUT).Setting:Spinal Research Laboratory, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital.Methods:A total of 13 healthy control subjects, 10 patients with T 4-T 6 paraplegia and 11 with C 4-C 7 tetraplegia were examined during supine rest and during HUT. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), HR spectral components (lower frequency fluctuation (LF), higher frequency fluctuations (HF) and LF/HF) and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) were continuously measured or calculated.Results:BP response to HUT differed among these groups (P<0.02). During HUT, BP decreased markedly in the tetraplegia group (from a mean value of 81.65 to 67.69 mm Hg), and increased in the control groups (from 92.89 to 95.44 mm Hg) and in the T 4-T 6 paraplegia group (from 96.24 to 97.86 mm Hg). Significant correlation was found in the control and tetraplegia groups between increases in HR LF/HF and HR at HUT (r>0.7; P<0.01). No such correlation was found in the paraplegia group. HUT effect on HR and CBFV was significant in all groups (P<0.001), but group differences were statistically non-significant.Conclusion:Findings were generally compatible with those of comparable previously published studies, but they also support a role for the mid-thoracic SC in hemodynamic regulation, which should be considered in clinical setting and in research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)251-256
Number of pages6
JournalSpinal Cord
Volume49
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2011

Funding

FundersFunder number
Tel-Aviv University
Ministry of Defense

    Keywords

    • hemodynamics
    • power spectrum analysis
    • spinal cord injuries
    • tilt-table test
    • transcranial Doppler ultrasonography

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