stract
Autonomic and cardiac dysfunction may occur after vascular brain injury without any evidence of primary
heart disease. During acute stroke, autonomic dysfunction, for example, elevated arterial blood pressure,
arrhythmia, and ischemic cardiac damage, has been reported, which may hinder the prognosis. Autonomic
dysfunction after a stroke may involve the cardiovascular, respiratory, sudomotor, and sexual systems, but
the exact mechanism is not fully understood. In this review paper, we will discuss the anatomy and physiology
of the autonomic nervous system and discuss the mechanism(s) suggested to cause autonomic dysfunction
after stroke. We will further elaborate on the different cerebral regions involved in autonomic dysfunction
complications of stroke. Autonomic nervous system modulation is emerging as a new therapeutic target
for stroke management. Understanding the pathogenesis and molecular mechanism(s) of parasympathetic
and sympathetic dysfunction after stroke will facilitate the implementation of preventive and therapeutic
strategies to antagonize the clinical manifestation of autonomic dysfunction and improve the outcome
of stroke.