QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR AUTONOMIC FUNCTION IN GUILLAIN-BARRE-SYNDROME

To study the temporal course and the relationship between autonomic fa ilure and motor weakness in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), a total of 164 autonomic function tests were serially applied for up to 1 year in 13 consecutive patients. Results were compared with those obtained in 25 healthy volunteers and 13 patients with other neurological disease s. Parasympathetic function tests comprised heart rate responses to Va lsalva maneuver, deep breathing, and active change of posture, whereas sympathetic vasomotor function was assessed by blood pressure respons es to handgrip and standing. At the height of the disease, subclinical autonomic involvement of both parasympathetic and sympathetic arms wa s revealed in the vast majority of patients. Abnormalities of autonomi c function tests improved gradually over time, paralleling the recover y of motor function, but were only partially related to clinically sig nificant autonomic dysfunction. Correlation analysis suggested that ta chycardia in the context of GBS might be caused by a reduction of symp athetically mediated peripheral vascular tone rather than by vagal fai lure.