Continuous Observations of Cardiac Output with Electromagnetic Flowmeter during Cardiovascular Reflexes

Abstract
With an electromagnetic flowmeter, continuous observations of cardiac output were performed in the dog during various cardiovascular reflexes. The depressor reflex to sinus nerve stimulation was attributable to 3 separate processes which might occur in the following order an early decrease in cardiac output with bradycardia due to vagal impulses, a decrease of peripheral resistance, and a late decrease in cardiac output. The pressor reflex to strong stimulation of a mixed nerve was usually induced by an increase of both peripheral resistance and cardiac output. However, the change in cardiac output was not constant and, when it was present, it appeared later than that in peripheral resistance. The pressor response to occlusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries was evoked by an increase of peripheral resistance alone. It is concluded that cardiac output and peripheral resistance, 2 major blood pressure determining factors, may be changed separately in cardiovascular reflexes.