Neurovascular compression: sympathetic activity in severe arterial hypertension

Effect of Microvascular Decompression of the Vagus Root Entry/Exit Zone on Blood Pressure in Patients with Hemifacial Spasm Associated with Essential Hypertension: A Retrospective Clinical Analysis

Background  This study aimed to evaluate blood pressure alterations after microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery in patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS) with coexisting hypertension (HTN). Methods  A total of 56 patients with HFS with concurrent HTN who underwent MVD surgery in our center between 2015 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into control and experimental groups: patients who received MVD treatment for only the facial nerve and those who received MVD for the affected facial nerve, ipsilateral vagus nerve, and adjacent ventrolateral medulla, respectively. Preoperative (3 days) and postoperative (7 days and 6 months) blood pressure measurements were analyzed. Results  No statistically significant differences were observed in gender, age, HFS course, HTN course, HTN grade, and preoperative blood pressure between the two groups. No significant difference was observed between pre- and postoperative blood pressure in the control group. In the experimental group, systolic blood pressure significantly differed between 3 preoperative days and 7 postoperative days ( p  < 0.05), as did diastolic blood pressure ( p  < 0.05). Measurement at 6 postoperative months also showed significant differences for both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure compared with that at 3 preoperative days ( p  < 0.05). HTN grade according to the World Health Organization classification criteria significantly differed between preoperative and postoperative measurements ( p  < 0.05). Conclusion  Vascular decompression of the ipsilateral vagus nerve roots may improve blood pressure management in patients with HFS with coexisting HTN who undergo MVD. Laterality of involvement (left vs. right) did not significantly differ.

Microvascular decompression in patients with hemifacial spasm

PURPOSE

To study blood pressure alterations after microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery in patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS).

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed to review HFS patients who received MVD surgery between January 2014 and December 2016. Vessels that were considered to be responsible for HFS were determined by reviewing the brain magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, and surgical video. Blood pressure measurements were performed 1 day before (preoperative) and 7 days after (postoperative) the MVD surgery. Pre- and postoperative blood pressure measurements were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 374 patients were included in the study, with 118 (31.6%) male patients, age 53.8 ± 9.9 years old, and 141 (37.7%) patients with hypertension. Systolic blood pressure had statistically significant decrease in patients with (134.5 ± 8.2-132.6 ± 9.1 mmHg, p = .01) or without (125.6 ± 9.1-123.8 ± 10.0 mmHg, p = .01) hypertension. Diastolic blood pressure only had statistically significant decrease in patients with hypertension (83.0 ± 5.8-82.0 ± 6.5 mmHg, p = .04). Analyses in all the study patients and in the subgroup of patients with hypertension showed that more statistically significant blood pressure reductions were observed when left-side vessel or vertebrobasilar artery was involved.

CONCLUSION

In patients with HFS, MVD not only decreased blood pressure in patients with hypertension but also affected blood pressure in patients without hypertension. Blood pressure reductions were more prominent when left-side vessel or vertebrobasilar artery was involved.