Acta physiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Physiol. Scand. · May 1987
Reflex changes in sympathetic nerve activity during mechanical ventilation with PEEP in sino-aortic denervated rats.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of cardiopulmonary receptors with vagal afferents in the reflex control of sympathetic nerve activity during mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Experiments were performed on 17 chloralose-anaesthetized rats. Changes in renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), heart rate and mean arterial pressure were studied at zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) and at 5 and 10 cm H2O PEEP in intact animals (n = 8), after sino-aortic denervation (n = 17) and after sino-aortic denervation plus vagotomy (n = 10). ⋯ The PEEP did not induce any significant change in RSNA or heart rate after sino-aortic denervation plus vagotomy. The results indicate that cardiopulmonary receptors with vagal afferents contribute to the reflex excitation of the sympathetic nervous system during mechanical ventilation with PEEP. Under certain circumstances, PEEP may also trigger powerful depressor reflexes, mediated by vagal afferents.