Physiological consequences of complete cardiac denervation.
The transplanted human heart remains functionally denervated for 5 or more years postoperatively. Denervation has a number of implications for cardiac function, not the least of which is the inability of transplant recipients to experience ischaemic pain. The study of the denervated heart has not only shed light on the physiology of cardiac transplantation but also provided further insights into the functioning of the normally innervated heart.
Gaer
J
J
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London.
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000503:physiopathology; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D016041:Heart-Lung Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology