Authors:
M Arata1, P DeGuzman2, F DeBarge-Igoe3
Institutions:
1Synergy Health Concepts, Newport Beach, CA, 2Synergy Health, Newport Beach, CA
Enter Objectives / Purpose Statement:
Patients seeking treatment for CCSVI at our clinic commonly present with symptoms of autonomic dysfunction: fatigue, interrupted sleep, cognitive impairment, bowel and/or bladder dysfunction, thermal intolerance. Recent analysis by Zohara Sternberg has drawn a parallel between autonomic dysfunction and CCSVI. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) analysis is an established method of identifying autonomic dysfunction. We introduced HRV analysis into our CCSVI pre procedure evaluation protocol. The purpose of this report was to determine the utility of HRV analysis in providing objective evidence of autonomic dysfunction in CCSVI patients.
Method:
Autonomic function was assessed 24 hours pre-procedure. HRV analysis was carried out using the ANS2000, D.E. Hokanson, Inc. Bellevue, WA. A total of 196 patients underwent successful testing. R-R interval variation with deep inspiration was analyzed with determination of the mean circular resultant (MCR).
Results:
One Hundred ninety-six (196) patients were tested. One hundred seventy-eight patients (91%) tested positive for dysautonomia. Twelve patients (6%) were disqualified: eleven patients due to inability to determine a normal reference range secondary to age and one patient due to cardiac artifact. Six patients (3%) tested negative for dysautonomia.
Conclusions:
Assessment of autonomic function with HRV testing allows objective diagnosis of dysautonomia in patients seeking treatment for CCSVI. Further studies are warranted to investigate the relationship between CCSVI and dysautonomia.
