Importance of Cardiac Rhythm in the Assessment of Flow Rate & Stroke Volume in CSF Flow

Mario Forjaz Secca^1,2

Two different parameters are used in assessment of CSF flow abnormality at the Aqueduct for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: Stroke Volume and Flow rate, leading to contradictory results. The data from 457 older patients out of our 731 studied, in conjunction with the variation of both values with heart rate on volunteers showed that both parameters are highly affected by cardiac rhythm, but SV is more affected. Therefore measurements should be accompanied by a recording of the cardiac rhythm with reference to the basal cardiac rhythm of the patient. Our analysis also suggests FR is a better parameter to evaluate NPH.