Medical significance of cardiovascular function in hibernating mammals.
1. The hibernating mammals inherited a stable cardiovascular function as a result of adaptation to extreme external and internal environments during hibernation. 2. The cardiovascular function of a hibernator is characterized by three distinct features: (i) tolerance of hypothermia; (ii) resistance to dysrhythmia; and (iii) endurance of hypoxia. All these have clinical relevance in cardiovascular disorders in humans. 3. We suggest that the hibernating mammal can serve as a useful animal model for research into the cardiovascular system.
Wang
S Q
SQ
College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Zhou
Z Q
ZQ
D000818:Animals; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D006605:Hibernation / Q000502:physiology*