Beschreibung:
<jats:p>Acute ischemic stroke (IS) is associated with alterations of autonomic cardiovascular control (ACC). However, evidence on the role of autonomic nervous system in the acute phase of IS is still lacking. Aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between ACC and changes of neurological impairment after 72 h from presentation to the Emergency Department, measured by the difference in NIHSS score (Δ NIHSS). ECG and respiration were recorded from 13 consecutive subjects with acute IS, using the BT16 acquisition system. Linear and nonlinear analysis of heart rate variability was performed. Spectral analysis was applied to identify the main oscillations embedded in the signal: low‐frequency (LF, 0.04 – 0.15 Hz) and high‐frequency (HF, 0.15 – 0.4 Hz) components, markers of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity respectively. Symbolic analysis allows to assess different patterns: 0V% (sympathetic modulation), 1V% (uncertain meaning), 2LV% and 2ULV% (vagal modulation). A linear regression revealed a significant relationship between Δ NIHSS and sympathetic indices. An increase of LFnu, LF/HF and 0V% were positively associated with an increase in Δ NIHSS (R = 0.58, 0.69 and 0.71 respectively; p< 0.05). Increasing Δ NIHSS was associated with decreasing HFnu (R=0.56; p< 0.05). We speculate that maintained oscillatory sympathetic modulation in the acute phase of IS might be a predictor of a better outcome.</jats:p>