AJP - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Vol 271, Issue 3 1139-H1144, Copyright © 1996 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Relation between baroreflex sensitivity and carotid artery elasticity in healthy humans

I. Bonyhay, G. Jokkel and M. Kollai
Clinical Research Department, Semmelweis University of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.

We investigated whether physiological variability in arterial baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was related to differences in carotid elastic behavior among 19 young healthy subjects (age 18-26 yr). The diameter of the carotid artery (D) and its change during the arterial pulse (delta D) were monitored by a phase-locked echotracking device (UT-4 Hokanson), and pulse pressure (delta P) was measured in the brachial artery by sphygmomanometry. Distensibility coefficient (DC) for the common carotid artery was calculated using the formula DC = (2 x delta D/D)/delta P. Dynamic elastic parameters such as the maximum and mean rate of carotid artery expansion and the dominant harmonic frequency of the diameter curve were also determined. BRS was assessed by regressing R-F.intervals against systolic blood pressure, monitored by finger arterial pressure (FINAPRES), during an elevation of pressure, induced by intravenous bolus injection of phenylephrine. Using correlation and stepwise regression analysis, we found that BRS was significantly related to carotid artery distensibility (r = 0.778, P < 0.001) but was not related to any of the dynamic parameters of carotid pulsation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. Komine, J. Sugawara, K. Hayashi, M. Yoshizawa, and T. Yokoi Regular endurance exercise in young men increases arterial baroreflex sensitivity through neural alteration of baroreflex arc J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2009; 106(5): 1499 - 1505. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Q. Fu, K. Okazaki, S. Shibata, R. P. Shook, T. B. VanGunday, M. M. Galbreath, M. F. Reelick, and B. D. Levine Menstrual cycle effects on sympathetic neural responses to upright tilt J. Physiol., May 1, 2009; 587(9): 2019 - 2031. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. W. Myers, W. B. Farquhar, D. E. Forman, T. D. Williams, D. L. Dierks, and J. A. Taylor Carotid distensibility characterized via the isometric exercise pressor response Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, December 1, 2002; 283(6): H2592 - H2598. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. D. Lipman, P. Grossman, S. E. Bridges, J.W. Hamner, and J. A. Taylor Mental Stress Response, Arterial Stiffness, and Baroreflex Sensitivity in Healthy Aging J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., July 1, 2002; 57(7): B279 - 284. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				S. D. Beske, G. E. Alvarez, T. P. Ballard, and K. P. Davy Reduced cardiovagal baroreflex gain in visceral obesity: implications for the metabolic syndrome Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, February 1, 2002; 282(2): H630 - H635. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. D. Beske, G. E. Alvarez, T. P. Ballard, and K. P. Davy Gender difference in cardiovagal baroreflex gain in humans J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2001; 91(5): 2088 - 2092. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. D. Monahan, H. Tanaka, F. A. Dinenno, and D. R. Seals Central Arterial Compliance Is Associated With Age- and Habitual Exercise-Related Differences in Cardiovagal Baroreflex Sensitivity Circulation, October 2, 2001; 104(14): 1627 - 1632. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. D. Monahan, F. A. Dinenno, D. R. Seals, C. M. Clevenger, C. A. Desouza, and H. Tanaka Age-associated changes in cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity are related to central arterial compliance Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, July 1, 2001; 281(1): H284 - H289. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. E. Hunt, L. Fahy, W. B. Farquhar, and J. A. Taylor Quantification of Mechanical and Neural Components of Vagal Baroreflex in Humans Hypertension, June 1, 2001; 37(6): 1362 - 1368. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. E. Hunt, W. B. Farquhar, and J. A. Taylor Does Reduced Vascular Stiffening Fully Explain Preserved Cardiovagal Baroreflex Function in Older, Physically Active Men? Circulation, May 22, 2001; 103(20): 2424 - 2427. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Kardos, G. Watterich, R. de Menezes, M. Csanady, B. Casadei, and L. Rudas Determinants of Spontaneous Baroreflex Sensitivity in a Healthy Working Population Hypertension, March 1, 2001; 37(3): 911 - 916. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Tanaka, C. A. DeSouza, and D. R. Seals Absence of Age-Related Increase in Central Arterial Stiffness in Physically Active Women Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, January 1, 1998; 18(1): 127 - 132. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Bonyhay, G. Jokkel, K. Karlocai, R. Reneman, and M. Kollai Effect of vasoactive drugs on carotid diameter in humans Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, October 1, 1997; 273(4): H1629 - H1636. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]