Michael Arata, MD1;Prabhjot (Nina) Grewal, MD1; Steven Cen, PhD2; Frances DeBarge-Igoe, RN1. 1Synergy Health Concepts, Newport Beach, CA 2USC Dept of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
PURPOSE: to evaluate the changes in blood pressure that occur following jugular vein balloon dilation in patients exhibiting symptomatic autonomic dysfunction.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: a retrospective chart review was performed on 212 patients treated for ccsvi over a one- year time period. Blood pressure readings were obtained prior to (baseline) and following jugular ballooning. The change of bp from baseline was examined separately by categories. There were 6 baseline categories for paired t-test or wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed depending on the normality of change in bp.
RESULTS: systolic bp were categorized as follows: <90 (n=2), 90 to 105 (n=36), 106 to 120 (n=67), 121 to 140 (n=73), 141 to 160 (n=23), >160 (n=9). Changes respectively were 36±28.28 (n/a), 4.38±12.08 (p=0.04), 0.7±12.44 (p=0.65), -2.58±12.14 (p=0.07), -17.39±15.29 (p=<0.01), and -23.33±36.7 (p=0.03). Diastolic pressures were similarly evaluated. Balloons were used off-label.
CONCLUSION: among patients with symptomatic autonomic dysfunction blood pressure deviation from normal was normalized following jugular balloon inflation. Further study is warranted to confirm normalization of bp as an objective indicator of response to jugular balloon dilation therapy for autonomic dysfunction.
