Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine cardiovascular (CV) health in a large cohort of individuals
with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). The CV health parameters of patients
were compared based on American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS), neurologic level, sex, central cord syndrome, age, time since injury,
Neuromuscular Recovery Scale, and total AIS motor score. DESIGN: Cross-sectional
study. SETTING: Seven outpatient rehabilitation clinics. PARTICIPANTS:
Individuals (N=350) with incomplete AIS classification C and D were included in
this analysis. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Heart rate,
systolic and diastolic blood pressure during resting sitting and supine positions
and after an orthostatic challenge. RESULTS: CV parameters were highly variable
and significantly differed based on patient position. Neurologic level (cervical,
high and low thoracic) and age were most commonly associated with CV parameters
where patients classified at the cervical level had the lowest resting CV
parameters. After the orthostatic challenge, blood pressure was highest for the
low thoracic group, and heart rate for the high thoracic group was higher. Time
since SCI was negatively related to blood pressure at rest but not after
orthostatic challenge. Men exhibited higher systolic blood pressure than women
and lower heart rate. The prevalence of orthostatic hypotension (OH) was 21% and
was related to the total motor score and resting seated blood pressures. Cervical
injuries had the highest prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Resting CV parameters of blood
pressure and heart rate are affected by position, age, and neurologic level. OH is more prevalent in cervical injuries, those with lower resting blood pressures
and who are lower functioning. Results from this study provide reference for CV
parameters for individuals with incomplete SCI. Future research is needed on the
impact of exercise on CV parameters.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS