NEURAL REGULATION IN EXPERIMENTAL HEART-FAILURE

The hallmarks of the chronic heart failure state are alterations in au tonomic reflexes, neurohumoral drive and fluid balance. The available evidence suggests that several factors contribute to these alterations . These may include peripheral as well as central nervous system abnor malities. However, recent evidence from animals with experimental hear t failure suggests that alterations in central neural sites involved i n regulating sympathetic outflow may be important in the alterations i n autonomic reflexes, neurohumoral drive and fluid balance commonly ob served in heart failure. Many of these central mechanisms have not bee n extensively studied; a comprehensive understanding of these mechanis ms will enhance our ability to treat the heart failure condition and i ts cardiovascular complications.