Reflex Peripheral Venoconstriction Induced by Carotid Occlusion

Abstract
The present investigation was designed to obtain additional evidence for the effect of carotid sinus reflexes on venous tone. It was found that occlusion of one or both common carotid arteries increases tension in a miniature balloon inserted into a peripheral vein. Deafferentation of the aortic arch by cervical vagotomy enhanced the venous response. The time course and magnitude of the venous reactions paralleled the increase in arterial pressure. It appears that the homeostatic increase in peripheral resistance as a result of reflex arteriolar constriction is complemented by a decrease in size of the peripheral venous reservoir.