Heart rate variability - a potential early marker of sub-acute post-stroke infections

Günther A, Salzmann I, Nowack S, Schwab M, Surber R, Hoyer H, Witte OW, Hoyer D. Heart rate variability – a potential early marker of sub‐acute post‐stroke infections. Acta Neurol Scand: 2012: 126: 189–196. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objective – Infection is the most relevant complication after acute ischemic stroke. Activity of the autonomic nervous system seems to control post‐stroke immunodepression. We investigated heart rate variability (HRV) indices that reflect autonomic readjustments as predictors of post‐stroke infection. Materials and methods – Forty‐three patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled in a prospective study. The predictability of sub‐acute infections (day 4 ± 1 after admission) was investigated in 34 patients without acute infection by means of HRV indices obtained in the acute period (48 h after admission). Results – Sub‐acute infection could be predicted in patients without clinical or paraclinical (white blood cell count and C‐reactive protein) signs of infection in the acute period at (i) day: increased HFnorm, reduced LFnorm and LF/HF; (ii) night: reduced LF and VLF (P