Comparison of autonomic nervous system dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and heart rate recovery according to spinal cord injury level.

Objective: To investigate the differences in autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and the degree of delay in post-exercise heart rate recovery (HRR) according to the level of spinal cord injury (SCI), and propose preventive measures against cardiovascular diseases after SCI.

Methods: This retrospective study included 51 patients with SCI. Based on the neurological level of injury (NLI), patients were divided into two groups: Group A (NLI at and above T6) and Group B (NLI below T6). To assess ANS dysfunction, the head-up tilt test and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were conducted. Arterial stiffness was measured using the pulse wave velocity test. The exercise tolerance test was conducted to measure post-exercise HRR.

Results: Group A had significantly higher values in the head-up tilt test and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. In the pulse wave velocity test, both sides (left and right) had significantly higher values in Group B. One minute after the exercise tolerance test, Group A had significantly slower HRR (18.8 ± 11.1 beats/minute) than Group B.

Conclusion: Understanding the impact of ANS dysfunction and arterial stiffness on HRR in SCI according to NLI may provide insights for clinical management and preventative strategies for cardiovascular diseases.