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The effects of rilmenidine on tests of autonomic function in humans
Author(s) -
McKaigue James P,
Harron Dean W G
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/clpt.1992.179
Subject(s) - rilmenidine , heart rate , baroreflex , blood pressure , phenylephrine , valsalva maneuver , medicine , anesthesia , clonidine , cardiology , agonist , receptor
The effects of rilmenidine, a new centrally acting antihypertensive agent, on a number of tests of autonomic function were investigated in six healthy male volunteers. Baroreflex function (ΔRR interval [in milliseconds] with each millimeter of mercury change in systolic blood pressure) was determined in response to changes in pressure after injections of phenylephrine and nitroglycerin. Reflex cardiovascular responses to handgrip and standing, as well as during deep breathing and the Valsalva maneuver, were also investigated. Rilmenidine produced a dose‐dependent decrease in blood pressure that was not accompanied by an increase in heart rate. Under conditions of low basal sympathetic activity, rilmenidine enhanced parasympathetic tone during the early reflex heart rate changes that occur immediately after standing and during deep breathing, as well as baroreflex heart rate responses to phenylephrine. During a test of sympathetic function, standing blood pressure, and heart rate after 3 minutes, rilmenidine reduced sympathetic tone. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1992) 52, 511–517; doi: 10.1038/clpt.1992.179