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Denervation of Carotid Baro‐ and Chemoreceptors in Humans
Author(s) -
Timmers Henri J. L. M.,
Wieling Wouter,
Karemaker John M.,
Lenders Jacques W. M.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2003.052415
Subject(s) - baroreceptor , denervation , baroreflex , carotid sinus , carotid body , medicine , chemoreceptor , peripheral chemoreceptors , blood pressure , hypercapnia , anesthesia , ventilation (architecture) , heart rate , respiratory system , receptor , carotid arteries , mechanical engineering , engineering
Experimental denervation in animals has shown that carotid baro‐ and chemoreceptors play an eminent role in maintaining blood pressure and blood gas homeostasis. Denervation of carotid sinus baro‐ and chemoreceptors in humans may occur as a complication of invasive interventions on the neck or after experimental surgical treatment in asthma. In this topical review, the short‐ and long‐term effects of carotid baro‐ and chemoreceptor denervation on the control of circulation and ventilation in humans are discussed. Carotid baroreceptor denervation in humans causes a persistent decrease in vagal and sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity and an increase in blood pressure variability; however, carotid denervation does not lead to chronic hypertension. Therefore, although carotid baroreceptors contribute to short‐term blood pressure control, other receptors are able to maintain normal chronic blood pressure levels in the absence of carotid baroreceptors. Conversely, carotid chemoreceptor denervation leads to permanent abolition of normocapnic ventilatory responses to hypoxia and reduced ventilatory responses to hypercapnia.