Jsk. Sham et al., EFFECTS OF HIGH-FREQUENCY VENTILATION AND PEEP ON CAROTID BARORECEPTOR REFLEXES, Journal of applied physiology, 75(2), 1993, pp. 772-781
We tested the hypothesis that altering the pattern and/or magnitude of
discharge of pulmonary stretch receptors (PSRs) would alter barorecep
tor reflexes in anesthetized aortic-denervated cats. Carotid barorecep
tor control of mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and hind
limb perfusion pressure (PPhl) was examined by changing carotid sinus
pressure (CSP) from 50 to 225 mmHg. The pattern of PSR discharge was c
hanged by switching conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) to high-
frequency ventilation (HFV). Magnitude of PSR discharge was altered by
changing positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Altering the discha
rge pattern of PSR had no effect on CSP-MAP or CSP-PPhl relationships;
small changes in HR were observed. Increasing PSR activity by increas
ing PEEP during CMV (from 3 to 9 cmH2O) depressed CSP-MAP relationship
, set point, and threshold pressure. However, the depression in CSP-MA
P relationship and set point during PEEP was unrelated to PSR activati
on, because these changes were not abolished after bilateral vagotomy.
CSP-PPhl relationship was significantly elevated during PEEP before a
nd after vagotomy, suggesting activation of a nonvagally mediated vaso
constrictory mechanism instead of PSR-mediated depressor reflex. CSP-H
R relationship during PEEP showed a slight elevation, which was abolis
hed after vagotomy, We conclude that despite minor increases in HR, al
tering the pattern or magnitude of PSR activity with HFV and PEEP has
no significant effect on carotid baroreceptor regulation of systemic c
irculation. Hemodynamic changes observed during PEEP were likely due t
o its mechanical effect on cardiac output and activation of other card
iopulmonary receptors rather than to the increase in PSR activity.