Studies of blood-pressure regulation in the unanesthetized dog. I. The effects of constant-frequency stimulation of the carotid-sinus nerves

Frequency limitation in the human baroreceptor reflex

In 10 unsedated normotensive subjects, low-level bilateral electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus nerves (0.35 ms, 1-2 V) was applied with frequencies of 20-200 Hz for therapeutic purposes. Both peak and steady-state reflex effects increased with the stimulus rate up to 80 Hz. After 1 min of stimulation, the largest fall of arterial pressure (21.0 +/- 5.8%, mean +/- S.D.) was produced by stimulus frequencies of 80-120 Hz. Right atrial pacing did not modify the results. After 1 min of stimulation at 200 Hz, the arterial pressure fall was reduced to 13.6 +/- 5.2% (P less than 0.001), whereas peak effects, reached after 15-40 s, were near maximal. The reduction of the depressor response emerged after about 10 s of stimulation and was complete after about 1 min. Peak RR-interval prolongation occurred within 10 s and showed no adaptation. Comparison of continuous stimulation and R-wave-triggered intermittent stimulation in 3 subjects suggested that the reflex effect was determined by the mean stimulus frequency. We conclude that frequency limitation in the baroreceptor reflex begins when the stimulus rate exceeds about 80 Hz. It leads to a frequency-dependent, gradual adaptation of the reflex effects when the stimulus rate exceeds 120 Hz. This conclusion is limited to the part of the reflex that is subserved by myelinated afferent fibers.

Responses of the cardiovascular system to carotid sinus nerve stimulation

The changes in blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output and blood flow in the femoral and common carotid arteries on carotid sinus nerve stimulation (CSNS) were studied in chloralose anaesthetized dogs, both with spontaneous heart rhythm and during atrial pacing. Stimulation of the sinus nerves with impulse trains and with impulses of constant frequency had almost equal effects on the blood pressure. The former had a greater effect on the heart rate; these findings verified earlier observations. The reductions in cardiac output followed those in heart rate. During atrial pacing the stroke volume was reduced on CSNS. The total peripheral resistance, regional peripheral resistances and input impedance of the vascular bed of the femoral artery were calculated. The initial effects of CSNS varied in relation to the prestimulation total peripheral resistance and to stimulation frequency. Differences between stimulation with a constant frequency and the intermittent types, with the same number of impulses per cardiac cycle, were negligible as regards effects on stroke volume, blood flow and regional vascular resistances. CSNS caused changes in input impedance of the vascular bed of the femoral artery which were very similar to those observed earlier on intraarterial injection of vasodilator drugs. The different effects of intermittent and constant frequency CSNS on the heart rate in dogs with intact vagal nerves and no clamping of the common carotid arteries might be caused by asymmetries in the autonomic effects on the S.A. node. The neurophysiological mechanisms are discussed. It is deduced that greater reductions in blood pressure with intermittent stimulation are only obtained in the pre-existence of a high sympathetic tone.