Baroreflex sensitivity: mechanisms and measurement

Abstract

This article is a brief review of baroreflex physiology, the definition and functional meaning of baroreflex sensitivity, and the methods used to measure baroreflex sensitivity. The arterial baroreflex is important for haemodynamic stability and for cardioprotection, and it has convincingly been demonstrated that baroreflex sensitivity, even when assessed with different methods, has a strong prognostic value. Development of new baroreflex assessing procedures is still ongoing, with a focus on increased reliability in difficult measuring circumstances, e.g., in patients with a weak baroreflex and in patients with frequent arrhythmias.

Neurocardiology: close interaction between heart and brain

“…Neurocardiology refers to (patho)physiological interplays of the nervous and cardiovascular systems [2]. Baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability are important parameters in understanding the influence of the autonomic nervous system on both heart and brain activity [3,4]. Over the past years, there is increasing evidence about the brainheart interaction with major potential implications for treatment of cardiovascular diseases.…”

Time course of changes in heart rate and blood pressure variability in rats with myocardial infarction

“…In a previous study, we observed reduction of the bradycardic response of infarcted rats submitted to direct vagal stimulation (33), suggesting a possible desensitization of the cholinergic receptors of the heart after infarction. Baroreceptor desensitization may also exert a central role in this process because changes in the afferent information to the central nuclei are important to regulate the sympathetic and vagal tone directed to the entire cardiovascular system (6,19,24). LF power is modulated by the baroreflex thus affecting the sinus node response to BP changes (34).…”

“…Therefore, maintenance of normal reflexes to adjust BP regulation is important for cardiovascular homeostasis (6). …”

The heart and the brain: an intimate and underestimated relation

“…It also provides insights on the reduction of cognitive functions after major forms of cardiac surgery, on cardiovascular risk factors that affect cognitive functions in the brain [12] and on the effects of exercise training on cardiac and cognitive function [13]. It highlights the importance of the baroreflex in the heart-brain connection [14,15], and potential pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms of the effects of cerebral hypoperfusion and cognitive function [16].…”