title: Cardiac syndrome X--autonomic system disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The abnormal neural regulation of the heart is one of the most important pathogenesis of cardiac syndrome X (CSX). The aim the study was to evaluate changes in autonomic nervous system activity (ANS) in CSX patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two patients (age 46 +/- 9 years) with CSX and forty-two healthy volunteers (age 47 +/- 9 years) as a control group were included in the study. Function of ANS was estimated with non-invasive tests based on simple cardiovascular reflexes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 50% of CSX patients was diminished response to parasympathetic stimulation in deep breathing test. In response to sympathetic stimulation (the changes in body position, hand grip test) was observed decreased 30/15 ratios. The cardiac autonomic activities were altered with parasympathetic withdrawal and/or sympathetic abnormality in patients with CSX.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The population of CSX patients is heterogeneous with normal autonomic system (about 23% of population) and abnormal ANS activity (about 77% patients). In cardiac syndrome X patients selected tests of ANS indicated presence of disturbances in sympathetic-parasympathetic balance.
authors.affiliation: II Klinika Kardiologii Instytut Kardiologii, Collegium Medicum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego.
authors.forename: Władysława
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kolasińska-Kloch
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Furgała
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Królczyk
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kloch
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szumańska
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laskiewicz
authors.forename: Piotr J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Thor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017566:Microvascular Angina / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018667:Tilt-Table Test