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Does glyceryl trinitrate cause central sympatholytic effects? Insights from a case of baroreflex failure
Author(s) -
Tan Sarah,
Xie Lin,
Anderson Robert,
Hammond Andrew,
Fong Angelina Y.,
Lim Seok,
Allen Andrew M.,
Harrap Stephen B.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
internal medicine journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 1444-0903
DOI - 10.1111/imj.14699
Subject(s) - medicine , baroreflex , sympatholytic , blood pressure , anesthesia , vasodilation , sympathetic activity , peripheral , baroreceptor , heart rate
Whether part of the blood pressure lowering effects of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is the result of centrally mediated reduction in sympathetic activity is debated. In humans, baroreflex activity potentially obscures the central sympatholytic effects of GTN. We examined this in a routine clinical tilt test in a patient with baroreflex failure secondary to previous neck radiotherapy. With reduced baroreflex function we observed an exaggerated fall in blood pressure and reduced sympathetic activity with GTN, supporting a peripheral vasodilation and central sympatholytic effect.