Modulatory effects of respiration

Respiration is a powerful modulator of heart rate variability, and of baro- and chemoreflex sensitivity. Abnormal respiratory modulation of heart rate is often an early sign of autonomic dysfunction in a number of diseases. I n addition, increase in venous return due to respiration may help in mainta ining blood pressure during standing in critical situations. This review ex amines the possibility that manipulation of breathing pattern may provide b eneficial effects in terms not only of ventilatory efficiency, but also of cardiovascular and respiratory control in physiologic and pathologic condit ions, such as chronic heart failure. This opens a new area of future resear ch in the better management of patients with cardiovascular autonomic dysfu nction. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.