title: Alpha-adrenergic component of the sympathetic nervous system in congestive heart failure.
abstract: The alpha-adrenergic component of the sympathetic nervous system plays a major role in the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and natural history of human congestive heart failure. While the augmentation of alpha-adrenergic tone (through the neuronal release of norepinephrine) is a valuable mechanism to maintain adequate systemic blood pressure and perfusion of vital organs in states of circulatory collapse, stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptors produces detrimental hemodynamic effects in congestive heart failure. These undesirable effects result from alpha-mediated vasoconstriction and consist of excessive elevation of right and left ventricular filling pressures and pulmonary and systemic vascular resistances. The enhancement of alpha-adrenergic tone preferentially reduces blood flow to the hepatosplanchnic circulation. Many of the hemodynamic responses that are seen after activation of the renin-angiotensin system are related to the ability of angiotensin II to amplify the actions of the alpha-adrenergic system. Stimulation of myocardial alpha-adrenergic receptors in most species elicits a modest positive inotropic effect, but the presence and importance of this property in the human heart remains controversial. Chronic stimulation of myocardial alpha-adrenergic receptors may result in the hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes and may also contribute to the development of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy. Acute blockade of the heightened alpha-adrenergic tone in congestive heart failure (e.g., with first doses of prazosin) results in favorable hemodynamic effects, but repeated dosing leads to pharmacological tolerance. Consequently, the long-term administration of alpha-adrenergic blocking agents in human heart failure has not been accompanied by an improvement in clinical status, exercise capacity, or survival.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus 43210.
authors.forename: C V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Leier
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Binkley
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cody
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D009638:Norepinephrine