Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) testing is proven to be a cost effective tool to monitor the parasympathetic & sympathetic nervous systems. ANS testing is a simple test that provides abundant physiological information that helps physicians improve patient care across most medical specialties. Autonomic function remains a under utilized test which presents an great investment both clinically & financially.
Approved Indications of Use for ANS Testing: (Based on NCD Medicare)
- Diagnose the presence of autonomic neuropathy in a patient with signs or symptoms suggesting a progressive autonomic neuropathy.
- Evaluate the severity and distribution of a diagnosed progressive autonomic neuropathy.
- Differentiate the diagnosis between certain complicated variants of syncopes from other causes of loss of consciousness.
- Evaluate inadequate response to beta-blockade in vasodepressor syncope.
- Evaluate distressing symptoms in the patient with a clinical picture suspicious for distal small fiber neuropathy in order to diagnose the condition.
- Differentiate the cause of postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
- Evaluate change in type, distribution or severity of autonomic deficits in patients with autonomic failure.
- Evaluate the response to treatment in patients with autonomic failure who demonstrate a change in clinical exam.
- Diagnose axonal neuropathy or suspected autonomic neuropathy in the symptomatic patient.
- Evaluate and treat patients with recurrent unexplained syncope to demonstrate autonomic failure, generally after more common causes have been excluded by other standard testing.