The baroreflex plays a key role in human BP (blood pressure) regulation. Its efferent limb consists of a vagal and a sympathetic component. The Valsalva manoeuvre is widely used to quantify vagal baroreflex function [BRS_vagal (vagal baroreflex sensitivity)], but most studies have focused on the R–R interval response to BP decrement, even though the subsequent response to an increment in BP is important and different. In the present study, we sought to evaluate whether BRS_vagal can be determined from BRSvagalinc (BRS_vagal derived from the rise in BP during phases III–IV of the Valsalva manoeuvre), to assess the association between BRSvagalinc and BRSvagaldec (BRS_vagal derived from the preceeding BP decrement) and to validate BRSvagalinc as an index of autonomic function. We studied patients with severe autonomic failure (n=49, 25 female), mild autonomic failure (n=25, 11 female) and matched normal controls (n=29, 15 female). BRSvagalinc and BRSvagaldec were calculated as the regression slope of R–R interval and systolic BP during phases III–IV and the early phase II of the Valsalva manoeuvre respectively, and compared these with other autonomic indices across the groups. BRSvagalinc was calculated in all subjects and correlated highly with BRSvagaldec (r=0.72, P<0.001). BRSvagalinc also correlated significantly with BP changes during phases II and IV of the Valsalva manoeuvre and sympathetic barosensitivity. BRSvagalinc was significantly different between the groups, being highest in the controls and lowest in patients with severe autonomic failure. In conclusion, vagal BRS, determined by relating R–R interval with the BP increase following phase III, is a valuable autonomic index, provides additional information about vagal baroreflex function and reflects overall severity of autonomic failure.
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Research Article|
May 07 2014
Comparison of baroreflex sensitivity with a fall and rise in blood pressure induced by the Valsalva manoeuvre
Naoki Wada;
Naoki Wada
*Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 550905, U.S.A.
†Hidaka kai, Hidaka Hospital, Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
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Wolfgang Singer;
Wolfgang Singer
*Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 550905, U.S.A.
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Tonette L. Gehrking;
Tonette L. Gehrking
*Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 550905, U.S.A.
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David M. Sletten;
David M. Sletten
*Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 550905, U.S.A.
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James D. Schmelzer;
James D. Schmelzer
*Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 550905, U.S.A.
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Phillip A. Low
*Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 550905, U.S.A.
Correspondence: Professor Phillip A. Low (email [email protected]).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
December 04 2013
Revision Received:
February 12 2014
Accepted:
March 06 2014
Accepted Manuscript online:
March 06 2014
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2014 Biochemical Society
2014
Clin Sci (Lond) (2014) 127 (5): 307–313.
Article history
Received:
December 04 2013
Revision Received:
February 12 2014
Accepted:
March 06 2014
Accepted Manuscript online:
March 06 2014
Citation
Naoki Wada, Wolfgang Singer, Tonette L. Gehrking, David M. Sletten, James D. Schmelzer, Phillip A. Low; Comparison of baroreflex sensitivity with a fall and rise in blood pressure induced by the Valsalva manoeuvre. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 September 2014; 127 (5): 307–313. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20130802
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