Switching on the deep brain stimulation: effects on cardiovascular regulation and respiration.

Abstract Background Objective of this study was to evaluate the acute cardiovascular and respiratory effects of switching on the deep brain stimulation in the follow up of nine Parkinson's disease patients with subthalamic nucleus stimulation and six cluster headache patients with posterior hypothalamic area stimulation. Methods Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate were monitored continuously during supine rest in both groups. Each patient was assessed in two conditions: resting supine with stimulator off and with stimulator on. Results In supine resting condition switching on the DBS induced no significant changes ( p  > 0.05) in systolic and diastolic bl…