Autonomic dysfunction in the patient with neurodegenerative disease

• Published in: Hipertension y riesgo vascular Vol. 37; no. 3; p. 133
• Main Authors: Roa-Chamorro, R, Torres-Quintero, L, González-Bustos, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.07.2020
• Subjects: Aged, 80 and over; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - diagnosis; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - etiology; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - physiopathology; Blood Pressure; Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnosis; Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology; Electrocardiography; Humans; Male; Parkinson Disease - complications; Autonomic dysfunction; Alfa-sinucleoinopatías; Disautonomía; Enfermedad de Parkinson; Alpha-synucleinopathies; Parkinson's disease
• ISSN: 1989-4805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hipert.2020.02.006

Autonomic dysfunction is a common condition in the alpha-synucleinopathies (Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy). Cardiovascular symptoms may include orthostatic hypotension, supine hypertension or decreased heart rate response. A clinical suspicion and physical examination are essential for diagnosis, taking blood pressure in supine and standing positions. The electrocardiogram may show a prolongation of the PR and QT intervals, while 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring provides information on blood pressure patterns. Cardiac sympathetic dysfunction can be confirmed by an innervation myocardial scintigraphy with -I-methylbenzylguanidine ( -I-MIBG). This can reflect specific neuronal noradrenergic uptake. We present the case of a man with Parkinson's disease who was diagnosed with cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction after a complete study.