Influence of the autonomic nervous system on brachial artery diameter and compliance in normotensive and hypertensive patients.
Based on non-invasive studies using pulsed Doppler velocimetry, it appears that the brachial artery in hypertensive humans responds actively to positional changes and norepinephrine infusion, exhibiting an abnormal constriction following norepinephrine administration and an enhanced vasodilating response when raising the legs from supine position. Such modifications occur in the absence of significant change in blood pressure and heart rate and could not be explained exclusively on the basis of high flow dilatation. It is suggested that the hypertensive brachial artery responds actively to modifications of the autonomic nervous system. Changes observed following legs raising probably involved stimulation of mecanoreceptors in the low pressure system.
London
G M
GM
Diagnosis Center, Broussais Hospital, Paris, France.
Lacolley
P A
PA
Bilhaud
E
E
Laurent
S
S
Safar
M E
ME
Monhes
F H
FH
D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003187:Compliance; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011187:Posture; D012016:Reference Values; D014661:Vasoconstriction; D014664:Vasodilation
D009638:Norepinephrine