SUBCLINICAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS: ASSOCIATION WITH SIMPATO-VAGAL BALANCE AND TOTAL AUTONOMOUS REGULATION CAPACITY

Diego Sebastian Mendo

Instituto Cardiovascular de Rosario, Argentina.

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Alterations of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system wereproposed as precursors of the genesis and perpetuation of atherosclerosis since a long time. Our objectivewas to determine if there is an association between the presence of carotid atherosclerosis and thereduction of heart rate variability.

Methods: By a prospective case-control design, we investigated heart rate variability and the presence ofcarotid atherosclerosis in 54 patients divided into two groups according to the presence or absence ofcarotid atherosclerosis. Heart rate variability variables were chosen in the frequency (spectral) domain inhigh frequency band, low frequency band, sympatho/vagal balance and the total spectral band.

Results: Over 54 individuals without previous cardiovascular disease consecutively evaluated, 26 ofthem (48%) presented with subclinical (ATE+). A reduction in HRV was observed in the ATE + grouprepresented by the LF spectrum (p <0.0001), the parasympathetic activity specifically represented in theHF band was also lower in the ATE + group in univariate analysis (p <0.0001) same as the TPow (p<0.0001). No significant differences were found when LF / HF was analyzed (p = 0.1598). Afteranalyzing variables with significant differences in the univariate analysis, with a multiple logisticregression model, only LF and TPow resulted independent predictors of ATE +.

Conclusion: We found a reduction in heart rate variability in subjects with carotid atherosclerosis. Somespectral components of heart rate variability, like low frequency or total spectral power, they werebetter predictors of carotid atherosclerosis than sympatho/vagal balance. In this study it seems that totalspectral power is a correct measurement for analyzing autonomic function.

Biography:

Dr. Diego Sebastián Mendo, Specialist in Arterial Hypertension and Vascular Mechanics currently Working in Group Orna Hospitals Argentina. He has an experience of 8 years dealing with Laboratorio de Mecánica Vascular. Also holding a degree in Universadad Austral Buenos Aires. specialist in vascular doppler, currently developing areas of arterial hypertension, vascular mechanics and cardiovascular prevention.

Recent Publications:

1. Ctenomys mendocinus

2. Una mirada filosófica a la felicidad y al perdón

3. The technique of the H / V spectral ratio as a tool for the determination of blind structures. A case study in the city of Mendoza, Argentina H / V spectral ratio technique as a tool for detection of blind structures.