Heart rate variability in polyneuropathies

To assess the autonomic disturbancies in neurological disorders different methods of heart rate variability (HRV) measurement are recommended. Aim of our study was the implementation of a testing battery of simple bedside tests of HRV including the quotient of minimal heart rate at exspiration and maximal heart rate at inspiration (E/I-ratio), standard deviation of consecutive heart beats (SD), the mean circular resultant (MCR), Valsalva maneuver (Valsalva-ratio) and position changements from lying to standing up (30/15-ratio). We examined 100 patients with diabetic neuropathy. Clinical stage of diabetic neuropathy (N0-N3) had significant influence: the higher the clinical degree of disease, the more pathologic the results of different tests were found.