Boston Medical Center's Autonomic Nervous System Laboratory purchased new equipment that improves the quality and efficiency of autonomic testing for neurological disorders. The BMC laboratory performs testing of autonomic functions like heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory and sweat control. The neurological portion of the Autonomic Nervous System Laboratory was established in 2003 in a collaborative project that included the departments of neurology, cardiology and dermatology. The autonomic laboratory evaluation provides diagnosis and treatment recommendations for physicians at BMC and throughout New England.

Patients with blood pressure fluctuations may benefit from testing. They may have underlying movement disorders, neuropathies or heart-rate problems that could cause lightheadedness or faint feelings. Also, sweat and temperature testing could provide additional information in the evaluation of complex regional-pain syndrome.

Testing includes monitoring heart rate and blood pressure at rest, with deep breathing, with measured increases in intrathoracic pressure, and with changes in position. The information sheds light on the nervous system, heart and blood- vessel integrity in an individual. Sweat testing quantifies sweat response to chemical and electrical stimulation. Temperature monitoring can be done over specific body areas.

The new equipment includes a respiratory monitor, a device to quantify heart rate and blood pressure changes with increases in intrathoracic pressure, and a temperature-monitoring device. Consultations for autonomic testing may be entered through the hospital's logician computer system and scheduled by calling the hospital.

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