Autonomic dysfunction after stroke: an overview of recent clinical evidence and perspectives on therapeutic management

• Published in: Clinical autonomic research Vol. 35; no. 4; pp. 553 - 563
• Main Authors: Barkhudaryan, Anush, Doehner, Wolfram, Jauert, Nadja
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.08.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Autonomic nervous system; Autonomic Nervous System - physiopathology; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - diagnosis; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - etiology; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - physiopathology; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - therapy; Baroreceptors; Cardiology; Cardiovascular diseases; Clinical trials; Diabetes; Disease Management; Dysautonomia; Endocrinology; Gastroenterology; Heart rate; Hemorrhage; Humans; Ischemia; Long-term effects; Medical prognosis; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mortality; Neurology; Ophthalmology; Patients; Reflexes; Review; Review Article; Stroke; Stroke - complications; Stroke - diagnosis; Stroke - physiopathology; Stroke - therapy; Autonomic dysfunction; Clinical outcome; Stroke; Sympathetic activation; Heart rate variability
• ISSN: 0959-9851; 1619-1560; 1619-1560
• DOI: 10.1007/s10286-025-01120-0

Purpose Central autonomic dysfunction is common in acute stroke and is associated with cardiovascular complications and increased mortality. The aim of this review is to present novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to the management of this disorder and the latest data on its impact on the clinical outcome after stroke. Methods We performed a narrative review of recent literature, with a particular focus on articles related to underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiac autonomic dysregulation, the role of cardiac autonomic dysregulation in the activation of neuroinflammatory response and the development of cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic complications in patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Results The assessment of central autonomic dysfunction by non-invasive diagnostic techniques, including heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity, has gained wide practical application in recent years, and they may have a predictive role for evaluating disease prognosis. The emerging evidence derived from recent trials demonstrates that the presence of autonomic imbalance may lead to increased mortality and have an adverse effect on post-stroke rehabilitation. Conclusion The early detection and treatment of central autonomic system dysfunction may lead to improved survival of patients with stroke. Among the available therapeutic approaches, neuromodulatory techniques and pharmacological interventions are promising strategies which may be implemented as part of standard acute stroke care to improve patient recovery. Future studies are warranted to address the long-term effects of potential therapeutic agents on the modulation of cardiovascular autonomic function in stroke survivors.