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Reverse Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia and Baroreceptor Sensitivity in Amyotropic lateral Sclerosis
Author(s) -
Bartels Matthew N,
De Meersman Ronald E,
Atkeson Amy,
Downey John A,
Basner Robert C
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.1019.14
Subject(s) - baroreceptor , medicine , expiration , vagal tone , respiratory system , cardiology , anesthesia , blood pressure , heart rate , respiration , ventilation (architecture) , heart rate variability , anatomy , mechanical engineering , engineering
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is heart rate variability in synchrony with normal respiration, by which the R‐R interval on an electrocardiogram (EKG) is shortened during inspiration and prolonged during expiration. During a normal respiratory cycle intrathoracic pressure (ITP) decreases and increases during inhalation and exhalation, respectively. These pressure changes stimulate baroreceptors (BRS). AIMS We studied baroreceptor responses during continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), in which ITPs are reversed compared to normal breathing. In addition, we compared the BRS responses during CPAP between amyotropic lateral sclerosis patients (ALS) and normal subjects. Methods Respiration, EKG, and beat‐to‐beat blood pressures were collected during CPAP and sham treatments. Baroreceptor analysis was derived using the transfer function between blood pressure and R‐R interval changes. Analysis of variance was used to determine statistical differences at an a‐level of P < .05. Results Preliminary trends in BRS were seen between the groups (ALS < 3±.02 mmHg/sec vs normals > 6±2.2 mmHg/sec). Discussion Preliminary results suggest that BRS is maintained during CPAP but appears to trend toward differences in magnitude between ALS patients and normals. VIDDA foundation.