Clinical physiology (Oxford, England)
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Near-infrared spectrophotometry-determined cerebral (ScO2) and muscle oxygen saturations (SmO2) were followed in 15 volunteers during passive 50 degrees head-up-tilt-induced central hypovolaemia, and in nine volunteers during ventilatory manoeuvres affecting arterial carbon dioxide tension. During head-up tilt, mean arterial pressure [MAP, 88 (77-118) to 97 (80-136) mmHg, median and range] and heart rate [HR; 66 (49-77) to 87 (42-132) beats min-1 P < 0.01] increased, but after 22 (1-45) min they declined [to 61 (40-91) mmHg and 69 (38-109) beats min-1, respectively, P = 0.001] and pre-syncopal symptoms developed. Central hypovolaemia was indicated by an increased thoracic electrical impedance, and a decreased cardiac output and central venous oxygen saturation. ⋯ Cardiovascular changes during tilt were not reflected in skin temperature. The ScO2 reflected the maintained autoregulation of cerebral blood flow until the perfusion pressure decreased markedly. In contrast, SmO2 mirrored muscle vasoconstriction early during tilt, and vasodilatation when pre-syncopal symptoms appeared.