Model System:

SCI

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J87011

Journal:

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 102, 8, 1490-1498

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study examined changes in cardiac structure and function that occur within the first 24 months after spinal cord injury (SCI). It was hypothesized that increasing time since injury would be associated with progressively smaller heart structures and lower indices of function and that those with high levels of injury would demonstrate a faster progression of these changes than those with low levels of injury. Twenty-nine individuals who were between 3- and 24-months post SCI volunteered for the study. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on each volunteer. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine associations between cardiac structure and function, and time since injury and neurologic and sensory levels of injury. Results indicated that time since injury was most strongly associated with reductions in left ventricular end diastolic volume, end systolic volume, and mass. These structural changes were paralleled by reduced stroke volume and cardiac output. The reductions in left ventricular structure and systolic function were not differentially affected by neurologic or sensory levels of injury. These results suggest progressive reductions in left ventricular structure and systolic function between 3 and 24 months after SCI that occur independent of neurologic and sensory levels of injury.

Author(s):

Ely, Matthew R. |Singh, Tamanna K. |Baggish, Aaron L. |Taylor, J. Andrew|

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