PLoS ONE (Jan 2020)

Association of decreased variation of coefficient R-R interval with ischemic colitis and small bowel obstruction.

  • Toshio Arai,
  • Hiroki Yamada,
  • Takeya Edagawa,
  • Satoshi Yoshida,
  • Shigetoshi Hikimoto,
  • Hiromichi Sougawa,
  • Kenichiro Nakachi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228117
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 2
p. e0228117

Abstract

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BACKGROUND:The parasympathetic nervous system exerts and controls intestinal tone. Several studies have suggested that the coefficient of the R-R intervals (CVRR) is useful for evaluating the parasympathetic nervous system. OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between gastrointestinal emergencies, specifically ischemic colitis (IC) and small bowel obstruction (SBO), and the autonomic nervous system. METHODS:In this retrospective study, a total of 13 patients with IC or SBO aged ≧65 years were analyzed. CVRR was measured in patients with IC and SBO and controls. RESULTS:CVRR averaged to 8.8% ± 2.5% in controls, 1.4% ± 0.4% in patients with IC, and 2.4% ± 1.0% in SBO groups (p < 0.001). CVRR was significantly lower in patients with IC and SBO than that in controls. CONCLUSION:The results of this study demonstrate the possibility that CVRR may serve as a clinical index for assessing the functioning of the parasympathetic nervous system in patients with IC or SBO.