VOLUNTARY INSPIRATORY VASOCONSTRICTOR EPI SODES (VICE) IN HEALTHY-SUBJECTS, PATIENTS WITH DIABETES-MELLITUS AND PATIENTS WITH CLINICALLY MANIFEST POLYNEUROPATHY

Volentary Inspiration Vasocinstricter Episodes (VICE) in Healthy Subje cts, Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Patients with Clinically Mani fest Polyneuropathy Background: A cost- and time efficient ultrasound- Doppler-test is introduced to evaluate the function of autonomic inner vation of the upper limb. A voluntary inspiration vasoconstrictor epis ode (VICE) after a provoked deep inspiration, transmitted via sympathe tic nervous system, can be demonstrated at the radial artery using bas ic Doppler equipment. Patients and Methods: VICEs were investigated in 30 healthy subjects (group A), in 20 patients with diabetes mellitus without clinical signs of polyneuropathy (group B) and in 20 patients with clinically manifest polyneuropathy (group C). Results: In all hea lthy subjects a two minutes arterial occlusion led to a decrease of re sistance index (RI) lower than 0.9 indicating sufficient hyperemia. RI during VICE increased to 1.0 in all healthy subjects. In 50% of the p atients of group group B as well in 50% of the patients group C the te st revealed abnormal findings suggesting a disorder of the functional peripheral neurovascular unity. Conclusion: The test may get a new and helpful diagnostic tool in the management of patients with suspected or clinically manifest polyneuropathy.