ISSN:
1573-2568
Keywords:
ESOPHAGEAL ACHALASIA
;
AUTONOMIC DYSFUNCTION
;
PUPILLOMETRY
;
HEART RATE VARIATION
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract A disagreement exists as to whetherextraintestinal parasympathetic autonomic function isaltered in patients with esophageal achalasia.Therefore, we assessed autonomic dysfunction inesophageal achalasia and considered the most relevant parameters ofparasympathetic autonomic function in these patients. Ina prospective study, heart rate variation and pupillaryfunction were investigated in 15 patients with achalasia of the esophagus and in 15controls by application of a battery of standardizedautonomic function tests. Significant differencesbetween patients and controls were detected for variousparameters of heart rate variation and pupillometry. Whencompared to values obtained from large groups of healthysubjects, none of the controls but 11 patients had atleast one abnormal parameter of parasympathetic autonomic function. It is suggested that inesophageal achalasia parasympathetic dysfunction thatextends beyond the gastrointestinal tract can befrequently detected. This finding supports the view of a generalized alteration of the autonomicnervous system in achalasia.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1026638822259
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