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Patrick D. Ireland, MD; Deanne Mickelsen; Thomas G. Rodenhouse, MD; Robert S. Bakos, MD; Brahm Goldstein, MD, FCCM

Arch Neurol. 1996;53(6):526-531.

Abstract
Objective
To study the autonomic control of heart rate in patients with Arnold-Chiari deformity types I and II who exhibit the signs and symptoms of cough syncope syndrome.

Design
Prospective, clinical descriptive study. Setting: University clinical research center.

Patients
Nine patients with Arnold-Chiari deformity and cough syncope syndrome.

Interventions
None.

Main Outcome Measures
Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiograms for power spectral analysis of heart rate variability were studied in the supine and standing positions, preoperatively (n=9) and postoperatively (n=5).

Results
Preoperatively, 8 (89%) of 9 patients increased their heart rate after postural change from supine to standing (mean±SD =13±13 beats per minute [bpm]). Postoperatively, 4 (80%) of the 5 patients exhibited a greater increase in standing heart rate (mean =19±16 bpm) compared with preoperative values. Changes in systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure with postural change were variable. Preoperatively, all patients exhibited abnormal control of heart rate in response to postural change. Three patients (33%) showed an abnormal decrease in low-frequency heart rate power (mean =–27±35 bpm²); the remaining 6 (67%) demonstrated an abnormal increase in high-frequency heart rate power (mean =25±41 bpm²). All patients were clinically asymptomatic at 2 months after surgery. A normal spectral response to postural change was demonstrated in heart rate power in all 5 patients who were reevaluated postoperatively, with an increase in low-frequency power (mean =33±21 bpm²) and a decrease in high-frequency power (mean =–21±23 bpm²).

Conclusions
Patients with cervicomedullary anatomic abnormalities caused by Arnold-Chiari deformities may exhibit abnormal autonomic control of heart rate, and the autonomic control of their heart rate returns to a normal pattern after surgical palliation in conjunction with resolution of clinical symptoms.

Author Affiliations
From the Division of Neurosurgery (Drs Ireland, Rodenhouse, and Bakos) and the Department of Pediatrics (Ms Mickelsen and Dr Goldstein), University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY. Dr Goldstein is now with the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland.

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ABSTRACT