Chronic renal failure and cardiovascular autonomic function.

Autonomic function was assessed in 67 patients with chronic renal failure using a standardized battery of five cardiovascular reflex tests. The results showed that 38 (65%) had early or definite parasympathetic abnormalities, while 14 (24%) had additional sympathetic damage. There were no significant differences between those treated conservatively (n = 19), those on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (n = 8) and those on intermittent haemodialysis (n = 40). Cardiovascular autonomic damage is widespread among patients with chronic renal failure, however treated, and may have a number of clinical sequelae.