title: Cardiovascular status of individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury from 7 NeuroRecovery Network rehabilitation centers.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven outpatient rehabilitation clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals (N=350) with incomplete AIS classification C and D were included in this analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Division of Rehabilitation Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-6018, USA. sue.sisto@stonybrook.edu
authors.forename: Sue Ann
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sisto
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wenzel
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Harkema
authors.forename: Andrei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krassioukov
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D055815:Young Adult