Exploring daily blood pressure fluctuations and cardiovascular risk among individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury: a pilot study

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2017 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2016.1236161 · Published: July 4, 2017

Spinal Cord Injury Cardiovascular Science Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study examines blood pressure fluctuations in individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI). It focuses on transient blood pressure elevations (T-BPE) and their potential link to cardiovascular disease. The research aims to describe the frequency and severity of these blood pressure spikes, especially in relation to daily activities and bowel/bladder routines. The findings suggest that these T-BPEs are frequent and can be severe, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular issues in this population.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

19 individuals with chronic SCI, C1-T3 AIS A or B, >1 year post-injury

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

1
Thirteen out of nineteen participants experienced transient blood pressure elevations (T-BPE) during the assessment period.
2
A significant number of participants experienced severe or extreme systolic blood pressure (SBP) elevations.
3
There was a significant correlation between bowel-related dysreflexic episodes and T-BPE with reduced heart rate.

Research Summary

The study investigated transient blood pressure elevations (T-BPE) in individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury to assess their frequency, severity, and association with autonomic dysreflexia and daily activities. The results showed that a majority of participants experienced T-BPE, with many experiencing severe or extreme elevations in systolic blood pressure, often linked to bowel routines. The findings suggest that these T-BPE are likely of autonomic origin and may contribute to cardiovascular disease risk in this population, highlighting the need for recognition and management of these events.

Practical Implications

Cardiovascular Risk Management

The study suggests that managing T-BPE may be a target for reducing cardiovascular disease risk in individuals with motor-complete tetraplegia or high paraplegia.

Clinical Terminology Standardization

The study proposes new terminology for classifying the severity of autonomic dysfunction to better facilitate clinical care and research.

Further Research

The study highlights the need for further research to refine measures used to define T-BPE, explore T-BPE predictors, and understand their association with CVD risk.

Study Limitations

1
The study was limited by a small sample size.
2
Variability in baseline blood pressure measurements could impact the number and severity of T-BPE recorded.
3
Incomplete diary entries and potential errors in diary timelines may have skewed the results.

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