Skip to main content
Log in

Baroreflex sensitivity assessment and heart rate variability: relation to maneuver and technique

  • Original Articlel
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the present study, we examined two baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) issues that remain uncertain: the differences among diverse BRS assessment techniques and the association between BRS and vagal outflow. Accordingly, the electrocardiogram and non-invasive arterial pressure were recorded in 27 healthy subjects, during supine with and without controlled breathing, standing, exercise, and recovery conditions. Vagal outflow was estimated by heart rate variability indexes, whereas BRS was computed by alpha-coefficient, transfer function, complex demodulation in low- and high-frequency bands, and by sequence technique. Our results indicated that only supine maneuvers showed significantly greater BRS values over the high frequency than in the low-frequency band. For maneuvers at the same frequency region, supine conditions presented a larger number of significant differences among techniques. The plots between BRS and vagal measures depicted a funnel-shaped relationship with significant log–log correlations (r=0.880–0.958). Very short latencies between systolic pressure and RR interval series in high-frequency band and strong log–log correlations between frequency bands were found. Higher variability among different baroreflex measurements was associated with higher level of vagal outflow. Methodological assumptions for each technique seem affected by non-baroreflex variation sources, and a modified responsiveness of vagal motoneurons due to distinct stimulation levels for each maneuver was suggested. Thus, highest vagal outflows corresponded to greatest BRS values, with maximum respiratory effect for the high-frequency band values. In conclusion, BRS values and differences across the tested techniques were strongly related to the vagal outflow induced by the maneuvers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Airaksinen J, Huikuri H, Huhti L, Kuusela T, Tahvanainen K, Tulppo M, Mäkikallio T, Eckberg D (2001) Effects of noradrenaline on human vagal baroreflexes. Ann Med 33:193–200

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Allen M, Matthews K, Kenyon K (2000) The relationships of resting baroreflex sensitivity, heart rate variability and measures of impulse control in children and adolescents. Int J Psychophysiol 37:185–194

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Badra L, Cooke W, Hoag J, Crossman A, Kuusela T, Tahvanainen K, Eckberg D (2001) Respiratory modulation of human autonomic rhythms. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 280:H2674-H2688

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barbieri R, Parati G, Saul P (2001) Closed- versus open-loop assessment of heart rate baroreflex. IEEE Eng Med Biol March:33–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bertinieri G, Di Rienzo M, Cavallazzi A, Ferrari A, Pedotti A, Mancia G (1988) Evaluation of baroreceptor reflex by blood pressure monitoring in unanesthetized cats. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 254:H377-H383

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bruning JL, Kintz BL (1977) Computational handbook of statistics. Scott Foresman, Glenview

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrasco S, Gaitán MJ, González R, Yánez O (2001) Correlation among Poincaré plot indexes and time and frequency domain measures of heart rate variability. J Med Eng Tech 25:240–248

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Di Rienzo M, Castiglioni P, Mancia G, Parati G, Pedotti A (1997) Critical appraisal of indices for the assessment of baroreflex sensitivity. Meth Inform Med 36:246–249

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Di Rienzo M, Castiglioni P, Mancia G, Pedotti A, Parati G (2001) Advancements in estimating baroreflex function. IEEE Eng Med Biol March:25–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eckberg D (2003) The human respiratory gate. J Physiol 548:339–352

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fritsch J, Eckberg D, Graves L, Wallin G (1986) Arterial pressure ramps provoke linear increases of heart period in humans. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 251:R1086-R1090

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gerritsen J, Ten Voorde B, Dekker J, Kostense P, Bouter L, Heethaar R (2000) Baroreflex sensitivity in the elderly: influence of age, breathing and spectral methods. Clin Sci 99:371–381

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gratze G, Fortin J, Holler A, Grasenick K, Pfurtscheller G, Wach P, Schöenegger J, Kotanko P, Skrabal F (1998) A software package for non-invasive, real-time beat-to-beat monitoring of stroke volume, blood pressure, total peripheral resistance and for assessment of autonomic function. Comput Biol Med 28:121–142

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hartikainen J, Tahvanainen K, Mäntysaari M, Tikkanen P, Länsimies E, Airaksinen J (1995) Simultaneous invasive and noninvasive evaluations of baroreflex sensitivity with bolus phenylephrine technique. Am Heart J 130:296–301

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hughson RL, Quintin L (1993) Spontaneous baroreflex by sequence and power spectral methods in humans. Clin Physiol 13:663–676

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iida R, Hirayagani K, Iwasaki K, Ogawa S, Suzuki H, Yajima K (1999) Non-invasive assessment of human baroreflex during different body positions. J Auton Nerv Sys 75:164–170

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kardos A, Watterich G, Menezes R, Csanády M, Casadei B, Rudas L (2001) Determinants of spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity in a healthy working population. Hypertension 37:911–916

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim S, Euler D (1997) Baroreflex sensitivity by complex demodulation of cardiovascular variability. Hypertension 29:1119–1125

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Laitinen T, Hartikainen J, Vanninen E, Niskanen L, Geelen G, Länsimies E (1998) Age and gender dependency of baroreflex sensitivity in healthy subjects. J Appl Physiol 84:576–583

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lipman R, Salisbury J, Taylor A (2003) Spontaneous indices are inconsistent with arterial baroreflex gain. Hypertension 42:481–487

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mancia G, Parati G, Castiglioni P, DiRienzo M (1999) Effect of sinoaortic denervation on frequency-domain estimates of baroreflex sensitivity in conscious cats. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 276:H1987–H1993

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nitzan M, Khanokh B, Slovik Y (2002) The difference in pulse transit time to the toe and finger measured by photopletismography. Physiol Meas 23:85–93

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pagani M, Somers V, Furlan R, Dell Orto S, Conway J, Baselli G, Cerutti S, Sleight P, Malliani A (1988) Changes in autonomic regulation induced by physical training in mild hypertension. Hypertension 12:600–610

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parati G, Frattola A, Di Rienzo M, Castiglioni P, Pedotti A, Mancia G (1995) Effects of aging on 24 h dynamic baroreceptor control of heart rate in ambulant subjects. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 268:H1606-H1612

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parati G, Di Rienzo M, Mancia G (2000) How to measure baroreflex sensitivity: from the cardiovascular laboratory to daily life. J Hypertens 18:7–19

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parlow J, Viale J, Annat G, Hughson R, Quintin L (1995) Spontaneous cardiac baroreflex in humans, comparison whit drug-induced responses. Hypertension 25:1058–1068

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pellizzer A, Kamen P, Jackman G, Brazzale D, Krum H (1996) Non-invasive assessment of baroreflex sensitivity and relation to measures of heart rate variability in man. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 23:621–624

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Persson P, Di Rienzo M, Castiglioni P, Cerutti C, Pagani M, Honzikova N, Akselrod S, Parati G (2001) Time versus frequency domain techniques for assessing baroreflex sensitivity. J Hypertens 19:1699–1705

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Piepoli M, Coats A, Adamopoulos S, Bernardi L, Feng Y, Conway J, Sleight P (1993) Persistent peripheral vasodilatation and sympathetic activity in hypotension after maximal exercise. J Appl Physiol 75:1807–1814

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Porta A, Baselli G, Rimoldi O, Malliani A, Pagani M (2000) Assessing baroreflex gain from spontaneous variability in conscious dogs: role of causality and respiration. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 279:H2558–H2567

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robbe H, Mulder L, Ruddel H, Langewitz W, Veldman J, Mulder G (1987) Assessment of baroreceptor reflex sensitivity by means of spectral analysis. Hypertension 10:538–543

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rüdiger H, Bald M (2001) Spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity in children and young adults calculated in the time and frequency domain. Auton Neurosci 93:71–78

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seals D, Parker JP, Davy K (2001) Autonomic nervous system. In: Hornbein T, Schoene R (ed) High altitude. Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, pp 425–442

    Google Scholar 

  • Smyth H, Sleight P, Pickering G (1969) Reflex regulation of arterial pressure during sleep in man. A quantitative method of assessing baroreflex sensitivity. Circ Res 24:109–121

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spyer KM (1994) Central nervous mechanisms contributing to cardiovascular control. J Physiol 474:1–19

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Steptoe A, Vögele C (1990) Cardiac baroreflex during postural change assessed using non-invasive spontaneous sequence analysis in young men. Cardiol Res 24:627–632

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tank J, Baevski R, Fender A, Baevski A, Graves K, Ploewka K, Weck M (2000) Reference values of spontaneous baroreceptor reflex sensitivity. Am J Hypertens 13:268–275

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor A, Eckberg D (1996) Fundamental relations between short-term RR interval and arterial pressure oscillations in humans. Circulation 93:1527–1532

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watkins L, Grossman P, Sherwood A (1996) Noninvasive assessment of baroreflex control in borderline hypertension: comparison with the phenylephrine method. Hypertension 28:238–243

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Carrasco-Sosa.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Carrasco-Sosa, S., Gaitán-González, M.J., González-Camarena, R. et al. Baroreflex sensitivity assessment and heart rate variability: relation to maneuver and technique. Eur J Appl Physiol 95, 265–275 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-005-0001-z

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-005-0001-z

Keywords

Navigation