Heart rate and blood pressure effects during caloric vestibular testing

Abstract

To determine whether the caloric vestibular test causes significant changes in heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure. Changes in heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure before and after caloric irrigation were compared with the degree of nystagmus (as measured by maximum slow phase velocity) and the patient's subjective dizziness (scored from 0 to 10). A cardiologist reviewed each patient's heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure changes. Patients' anxiety levels were also assessed. Eighteen patients were recruited. There were no adverse events in any patient. There were no overall significant differences between the heart rate and mean arterial pressure before and after each irrigation. There was a significant correlation between the maximum slow phase velocity and patients' subjective dizziness scores. Heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure are not significantly influenced by the caloric vestibular test. This preliminary study will enable patients with stable cardiovascular disease to be recruited for further risk determination.