title: The deterioration of cardiovascular reflexes in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have investigated the deterioration of cardiovascular reflexes in Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a group of 20 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and in a group of 10 age-matched control subjects a battery of cardiovascular reflex (CVR) tests (Valsalva manoeuvre, deep breathing test, handgrip test, orthostatic test) was repeated after 3 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In PD patients at deep breathing test, at Valsalva manoeuvre and at orthostatic test the heart rate response decreased significantly (P<0.05). The impairment of systolic and diastolic blood pressure response at orthostatic test was significant as well (P < 0.005). At hand grip test no significant changes in heart rate and blood pressure response were found. In control subjects only heart rate response at orthostatic test decreased significantly after 3 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show progression of an impairment of sympathetic and parasympathetic control of the cardiovascular functions in patients with PD over a period of 3 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mesec
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sega
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trost
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pogacnik
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal