Role of infarct location and pre-existing depression on cardiac baroreceptor sensitivity in subacute ischemic stroke

Reduced cardiac baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS) after acute stroke is associated with worse outcome. The underlying mechanisms of reduced BRS are unclear. We evaluated cross correlation BRS (xBRS) in 184 patients with suspected acute ischemic stroke within 72 h of symptom onset. Among these patients, 22 had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and 27 had a stroke mimic. Sixty-four age- and sex-matched ambulant control subjects without stroke were included. Compared with controls, xBRS was significantly lower in patients with ischemic stroke, TIA, and stroke mimics (4.6, 4.7, and 4.4, respectively, vs 6.6, p < 0.01). There was no difference in xBRS between right and left hemispheric infarctions (4.3 vs 4.9, p = 0.144), right and left insular infarctions (4.5 vs 5.3, p = 0.286), and insular infarction vs non-insular infarctions (4.7 vs 4.5, p = 0.996). Stroke patients with pre-existing depression/use of antidepressant medication had lower xBRS values than stroke patients with normal mental health (2.9 vs 4.8, p < 0.05). Control patients with depression also had lower xBRS compared to controls without depression (3.4 vs 5.9, p < 0.01). Our results suggest that decreased xBRS in the subacute phase after stroke is not associated with infarct localization. We found preliminary evidence for an association between pre-existing depression and use of antidepressant medication, and decreased BRS.