Physiological and catecholamine response to sympathetic stimulation in turner syndrome

Summary Objective Women with Turner syndrome have increased heart rate and high blood pressure (BP), and have been described as having high tolerance for emotional stress. We hypothesized that women with Turner syndrome have reduced catecholaminergic and physiological response to sympathetic stimulation, and that changes in BP and heart rate are related to their catecholamine response to sympathetic stimulation. Design and patients Ten young women with Turner syndrome, age 17–34 years were the subjects of this study. Their response to sympathetic stimulation was compared to a group of 10 age-matched healthy women. Measurements After a period of 30 min resting, subjects and controls were subjected to an escalating series of sympathetic stimulation: orthostatic, cold pressor and exercise, and their plasma catecholamines and haemodynamic response were monitored and compared to resting levels. Results Resting heart rate was higher in Turner syndrome patients at 83 ± 9 beats per min (bpm, mean ± SD), as compared to controls (74 ± 10 bpm, P