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Sports-related concussions linked to transient cardiovascular dysfunction
Results from this study of 23 recreational athletes indicated concussions were associated with disrupted autonomic cardiovascular control.
Of the athletes included in the study, investigators categorized 12 athletes into a concussed cohort and 11 athletes in a control group. Within 48 hours of injury, 24 hours later, 1 week after injury and 2 weeks after injury, athletes in the concussion group performed autonomic reflex tests that included a forced breathing test, standing test and the Valsalva maneuver test. Using this schedule, the control group performed the same tests. Finger photoplethysmography was used to continuously measure differences in heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Measurements were analyzed with multivariate analysis of variance and analysis of variance.
Results showed that after the Valsalva test, the resting and standing systolic blood pressure responses were significantly greater in athletes with concussions within 48 hours of injury compared with control participants; however, the differences subsided 24 hours after this period. Investigators noted heart rate responses had a significant interaction with forced breathing, which demonstrated the responses from concussed participants vs. control participants had declined with time. by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosure : The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.