Role of Carotid Chemoreceptors in Hypoxic Cardiac Acceleration

Abstract

The vascularly isolated carotid chemo-reflex zones of anesthetized dogs were perfused or cross-circulated with hypoxic blood and pulse rate recorded with a membrane manometer. The direct reflex effect of hypoxemia so localized was moderate (2-35%) slowing of heart rate, and it was concluded that the cardiac acceleration of generalized hypoxia does not arise chemo-reflexly at the carotid bodies.