Autonomic Nervous Function in Patients with Vertigo

An Analysis Using Pulse Wave Velocity

Abstract

Patients subject to vertigo have been said to have autonomic nervous dysfunction, especially sympathetic hyperresponsiveness or parasympathetic hyporesponsiveness. Sympathetic nervous function in vertigo patients, in relation to antonomic nervous dysfunction, was examined by means of pulse wave velocity (PWV). In this study, 47 patients (12 with autonomic nervous dysfunction 12 with Ménière's disease, 8 with vertebrobasilar insufficiency and 15 others) were examined. R-R interval measurements on ECG were performed simultaneously to evaluate parasympathetic function. Autonomic nervous dysfunction, was confirmed in 24 patients. PWV, especially, reflects sympathetic nerve function, 13 patients (54.2 %) showed hyperresponse and 10 (41.7%) hyporesponse. In contrast, 18 (75 %) showed normal parasympathetic function. These results suggest that autonomic nervous dysfunction in patients with vertigo is mainly sympathetic dysfunction and that the measurement of PWV may be a useful diagnostic modality.