Reflex Control of the Heart and Circulation: Implications for Cardiovascular Electrophysiology

MICHAEL L. SMITH, MARK D. CARLSON, MARC D. THAMES

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cardiovascular Reflexes and Electrophysiology. The autonomic nervous system mediates control of the heart and circulation for several sensors located throughout the cardiovascular system. Afferent signals originate from mechanoreceptors located in the carotid sinus, aorta, chambers of the heart, and great veins near the heart, and from chemoreceptors in the aortic arch and carotid sinus. Efferent signals are transmitted through the vagus and sympathetic nerves to the heart and vascular tree. Hemodynamic and electrophysiologic homeostasis is maintained by beat‐to‐beat regulation via these reflexes. Several cardiovascular diseases are often accompanied by abnormal function of these reflexes; moreover, abnormalities of reflex control of the circulation often contribute to the pathophysiology of many cardiovascular diseases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)441-449
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
Volume2
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1991

Keywords

  • baroreceptors
  • chemoreceptors
  • congestive heart failure
  • hypertension
  • myocardial infarction
  • sympathetic
  • vagus nerve
  • ventricular tachycardia

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