Effect of changes in carotid sinus pulse pressure on catecholamine blood levels

Abstract

A study was made on the effect of changes in arterial pulse pressure per se on catecholamine secretion in the anesthetized dog. "Elasticity" bottles were inserted bilaterally in the common carotid arteries in order to change the magnitude of the pulse pressure in the carotid sinus areas without changing the mean arterial blood pressure. It was observed that a marked decrease in the pulse pressure resulted in significant increases in heart rate (P < 0.005) and catecholamine plasma levels (P < 0.005). The mechanism and role of this increase in plasma levels of catecholamines are discussed.