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Biomedical subjects

M Kupari

Publications and source records attributed to M Kupari.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Associations between atrial natriuretic peptides, echocardiographic findings and mortality in an elderly population sample.

OBJECTIVES: To examine associations of N-terminal and C-terminal components of the proatrial natriuretic peptide [ANP (1-98) and ANP (99-126), respectively], with echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular structure and performance and with the function of the aortic and mitral valves in old age. To compare the predictive value of the atrial peptides and echocardiographic data for short-term mortality. DESIGN: A population based survey with 1.5-year mortality follow-up. SETTING: University hospital. SUBJECTS: Three-hundred and thirty-three people aged 78-88 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (i) Plasma ANP (1-98) and ANP (99-126); (ii) M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic measurements of left atrial diameter; left ventricular diameters, mass and fractional shortening; peak transmitral velocities; aortic valve area, aortic regurgitation jet length and mitral regurgitant jet area; (iii) total and cardiovascular 1.5-year mortality. RESULTS: ANP (1-98) correlated with left atrial diameter (r = 0.33; P < 0.001), left ventricular mass (r = 0.19; P < 0.001), fractional shortening (r = -0.16; P < 0.01) and the early-to-atrial peak transmitral velocity ratio (r = 0.23; P < 0.001). Also, ANP (1-98) predicted the degree of aortic valve obstruction and the severity of aortic and mitral regurgitation. Associations of ANP (99-126) with echocardiographic data were much weaker. Aortic valve stenosis and ANP (1-98) were independent predictors of age- and sex-adjusted total and cardiovascular mortality at 1.5 years of entry. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating ANP (1-98) correlates with left atrial size, with left ventricular mass and performance and with the severity of aortic and mitral valve dysfunction in persons representing the general elderly population. ANP (1-98) also predicts both total and cardiovascular mortality.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Abnormal ambulatory electrocardiographic findings in patients with the Marfan syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of cardiac dysrhythmias and abnormalities of conduction and repolarization in the Marfan-syndrome (MFS). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-five adult MFS patients (25 men) and healthy age and sex matched controls. A 24-h ambulatory electrocardiogram was recorded. RESULTS: There was no difference in heart rates between the two groups. Two MFS patients had atrial fibrillation. The median number of premature atrial beats was 12/24 h in the MFS group vs. 6/24 h in the controls (P < 0.05), and the respective medians of premature ventricular beats were 17/24 h vs. 1/24 h (P < 0.001). Five patients but no healthy person had salvos of > or = 3 premature ventricular complexes (P < 0.05). Ventricular premature beats with R on T configuration were recorded in nine patients but in none of the control subjects (P < 0.05). Both PQ and QT intervals at heart rates of 60, 80 and 100 beats min-1 were longer in the MFS group compared with healthy persons (P < 0.005). Also ST segment depression was seen more often in the MFS group (17/43 vs. 6/45; P < 0.05). In patients with MFS, the findings at ambulatory electrocardiography showed no association with echocardiographically determined aortic root diameter, left atrial diameter or left ventricular diameters, wall thickness and systolic function. Nor did the electrocardiographic findings correlate with the presence of mitral or tricuspid valve prolapse. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MFS have a higher prevalence of cardiac dysrhythmias than healthy persons. Likewise they have prolonged atrio-ventricular conduction time and disturbed depolarization as suggested by longer QT intervals and more common ST segment depression.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Congestive heart failure in old age: prevalence, mechanisms and 4-year prognosis in the Helsinki Ageing Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence, underlying diseases, abnormalities of left ventricular function and prognosis in congestive heart failure (CHF) of old age. DESIGN: A population-based clinical and echocardiographic study with a 4-year mortality follow-up. SETTING: University hospital. SUBJECTS: Five hundred and one individuals born in 1904. 1909 and 1914 (367 women). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of CHF by clinical and chest radiograph criteria: left ventricular size and systolic function by echocardiography; grade of aortic and mitral valve lesion by Doppler echocardiography; 4-year total and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: Forty-one of 501 participants (8.2%) had CHF. Ischaemic heart disease (54%), hypertension (54%) and moderate-to-severe mitral or aortic valve disease (51%) were the main underlying conditions; 90% of patients had one or more of these diseases. Most individuals with CHF (28 of 39 patients, 72%) had normal left ventricular contractions at echocardiography. 'Diastolic CHF', defined as CHF with normal systolic left ventricular function and no regurgitant valve disease, was found in 51% (20 of 39 patients). The relative 4-year risk for death associated with CHF, adjusted for age and sex, was 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.3-3.4) for all-cause mortality and 4.2 (CI 1.9-5.6) for cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CHF in a population aged 75-86 years is approximately 8%. Ischaemic or valvular heart disease and hypertension are the main underlying conditions. At echocardiography, about 50% of the elderly with CHF have normal left ventricular systolic contractions in the absence of valve disease and an additional 20% have normal systolic function with mitral regurgitation. The presence of CHF doubles the age- and sex-adjusted risk of death from all causes, and quadruples the risk of cardiovascular death during 4-year follow-up.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1997

Haemodynamic, neuroendocrine and metabolic correlates of circulating cytokine concentrations in congestive heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: Increased activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the circulation has been observed in many, though not all, patients with congestive heart failure. To identify the predictors of cytokine activation in congestive heart failure, we assessed the relationship of peripheral and hepatic venous cytokines to central haemodynamics, neuroendocrine status and intermediary metabolism in patients with moderate or severe congestive heart failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, soluble tumour necrosis factor-receptor II and interleukin 6 were measured from peripheral and hepatic venous plasma in 58 adult cardiac patients, of whom 44 had congestive heart failure, undergoing heart catheterization, echocardiography and assessment of selected neuroendocrine and metabolic characteristics. RESULTS: Peripheral venous soluble tumour necrosis factor-receptor II was directly related to NYHA class (rs = 0.46, P < 0.001) and inversely to 6-min walking distance (rs = -0.46, P < 0.001). Peripheral venous tumour necrosis factor-alpha was related to 6-min walking distance (rs = -0.37, P < 0.01), but like soluble tumour necrosis factor-receptor II, was unrelated to other haemodynamic and neuroendocrine measurements. Peripheral venous interleukin 6 correlated with NYHA class (rs = 0.66, P < 0.001) and 6-min walking distance (rs = -0.52, P < 0.001). In addition, interleukin 6 was related to right atrial pressure (rs = 0.55, P < 0.001), pulmonary artery wedge pressure (rs = 0.50, P < 0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (rs = -0.39, P < 0.01); in multivariate analysis, only right atrial pressure was an independent predictor of interleukin 6 concentration (P < 0.001). Comparisons between patients with and without congestive heart failure showed significantly higher hepatic venous tumour necrosis factor-alpha, soluble tumour necrosis factor-receptor II and interleukin 6 in the heart failure group; the differences in peripheral venous cytokines were less consistent. CONCLUSIONS: In cardiac patients, increased plasma tumour necrosis factor-alpha and soluble tumour necrosis factor-receptor II are associated with symptoms of heart failure and poor exercise capacity, while the most important predictor of increased interleukin 6 is elevated systemic venous pressure. Different but still unknown mechanisms may be responsible for the increased release of cytokines in congestive heart failure.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Natural history of aortic valve stenosis of varying severity in the elderly.

In a population sample of 501 persons aged 75 to 86 years, Doppler echocardiography uncovered moderate or severe aortic valve stenosis in 8.8% of women and 3.6% of men. Severe aortic valve stenosis predicted a four-fold-age- and sex-adjusted risk of death within 4 years of diagnosis, and mortality tended to be increased also with moderate lesions; mild aortic valve stenosis had a favorable outcome.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Blood ketone bodies in congestive heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to assess whether blood ketone bodies are elevated in congestive heart failure (CHF) and whether ketonemia is related to the hemodynamic and neurohumoral abnormalities of CHF. BACKGROUND: In CHF, consumption of the body's fat stores may become abnormally high, contributing to the development of cardiac cachexia. Increased mobilization of free fatty acids could, in theory, augment ketogenesis, but whether patients with CHF are prone to ketosis remains unknown. METHODS: Forty-five patients with chronic CHF (mean age [+/- SD] 57 +/- 13 years) and 14 control subjects free of CHF (mean age 53 +/- 13 years) underwent invasive and noninvasive cardiac studies and determination of blood ketone bodies (acetoacetate plus beta-hydroxybutyrate), circulating free fatty acids, glucose, lactate, insulin, glucagon, growth hormone, cortisol, norepinephrine, N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 after an overnight fast. RESULTS: Patients with CHF had elevated blood ketone bodies (median 267 mumol/liter, range 44 to 952) compared with control subjects (median 150 mumol/liter, range 31 to 299, p < 0.05). In the total study group, blood ketone bodies were related to pulmonary artery wedge pressure (r5 = 0.45, p < 0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (r3 = -0.37, p < 0.01), right atrial pressure (r3 = 0.36, p < 0.01) and circulating concentrations of free fatty acids (r5 = 0.52, p < 0.001), glucose (r5 = -0.39, p < 0.001), norepinephrine (r3 = 0.45, p < 0.001), growth hormone (r5 = 0.30, p < 0.05) and interleukin-6 (r3 = 0.27, p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, left ventricular ejection fraction, serum free fatty acids and serum glucose were independent predictors of ketonemia. CONCLUSIONS: Blood ketone bodies are elevated in CHF in proportion to the severity of cardiac dysfunction and neurohormonal activation. This may be at least partly attributable to increased free fatty acid mobilization in response to augmented neurohormonal stimulation. Additional studies are needed to identify the detailed mechanisms and clinical implications of CHF ketosis.

Calorimetry, Indirect↗
PubMed1996

Calcific degeneration of the aortic valve in old age: is the development of flow obstruction predictable?

OBJECTIVE: Aortic valve calcification and stenosis become increasingly common with advancing age. This work aimed at assessing whether a time-dependent reduction of aortic valve area is detectable in an unselected elderly population and whether the rate of reduction can be predicted from clinical or biochemical characteristics. DESIGN: A population-based prospective echocardiographic follow-up study. SETTING: A university hospital. SUBJECTS: In 1990, randomly selected persons born in 1904, 1909 and 1914 (total n = 501) underwent a Doppler echocardiographic study of aortic valve and biochemical tests of glucose, lipid and calcium metabolism. In 1993, echocardiography was repeated in 333 survivors of the original cohorts. These individuals constitute the present study population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Three-year changes in the aortic valve area and velocity ratio (peak outflow tract velocity/peak aortic jet velocity) determined by Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: Aortic valve area decreased from a mean of 1.95 cm2 (95% confidence interval of mean, 1.88-2.03 cm2) to 1.78 cm2 (1.71-1.85 cm2) within 3 years (P < 0.001). Concomitantly, the velocity ratio decreased from 0.75 (0.73-0.77) to 0.68 (0.67-0.70) (P < 0.001). The changes in aortic valve area and velocity ratio were unrelated to age, sex, presence of hypertension, coronary artery disease or diabetes, and to all assessed biochemical characteristics. A weak positive statistical association was found between the decrease in aortic valve area and the body mass index at entry (r = 0.16, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A time-dependent reduction of the aortic valve flow orifice can be demonstrated in persons representing the general elderly population. The deterioration of aortic valve function within a span of 3 years is neither clinically nor biochemically predictable. A longer follow-up may be necessary to identify the risk factors of aortic valve stenosis in old age.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Evolution of heart rate variability in cardiac transplant recipients: a clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate in cardiac transplant patients whether post-transplantation time, graft arteriosclerosis, allograft rejection, or earlier cytomegalovirus infection affect the neural regulatory mechanisms of the donor heart. DESIGN: A consecutive series of heart transplant patients during a 12-month period. SETTING: A university hospital in Finland. SUBJECTS: Consecutive cardiac transplant recipients (n = 38) attending the hospital for their annual clinical examination were studied. Their mean (SD) age was 45.4 (11.5) years, 37 were male, and the median (range) time since transplantation was 36 (12-72) months. INTERVENTIONS: Power spectral analysis of R-R intervals (during 5 min of controlled breathing, the Valsalva manoeuvre, and deep breathing), routine coronary arteriography, cytomegalovirus serology. RESULTS: R-R interval (r = 0.67; P < 0.001), the root mean square difference of successive R-R intervals (r = 0.38; P < 0.05), the total R-R interval power (r = 0.45; P < 0.01), the power of the very low frequency (0.0-0.07 Hz) component (r = 0.53; P < 0.01), and the power of the nonrespiratory (0.0-0.15 Hz) component (r = 0.49; P < 0.01) were related to the length of time since the operation. Patients having had a transplantation 3 years ago or more had significantly greater median (range) total R-R interval power than those having had the operation less than 3 years ago (59 [10-265] vs. 20 [3-113] ms2; P = 0.02). There was also a difference between the two groups in the very low frequency component (18 [1-226] vs. 5 [0-45] ms2; P = 0.01), in the nonrespiratory component (30[1-227] vs. 9 [0-53]ms2; P = 0.02), and in the Valsalva ratio (0.995 [0.955-1.065] vs. 1.020 [0.975-1.155]; P = 0.03). Patients with and without graft arteriosclerosis, episodes of rejection, or earlier cytomegalovirus infection showed no difference in the power spectral measures. CONCLUSIONS: The donor heart rate variability increases with post-transplantation time. Heart rate variability in transplant recipients is not related to the extent of graft arteriosclerosis, episodes of allograft rejection, or earlier cytomegalovirus infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition versus beta-adrenergic blockade on aortic stiffness in essential hypertension.

We assessed the effects of 6 months of treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (cilazapril) or a beta 1-adrenergic blocker (atenolol) on aortic stiffness in essential hypertension. Forty patients (16 women) aged 47 +/- 9 years (mean +/- SD) with baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressures of 162 +/- 15 and 105 +/- 5 mm Hg, respectively, were entered into a double-blind, parallel-group study with cilazapril, 5 mg once daily, or atenolol, 100 mg once daily. The treatment period was preceded by a 4-week placebo washout phase. Aortic elastic modulus (Ep) was determined by cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and indirect brachial artery blood pressure measurements prior to and after 3 weeks and 6 months of therapy. The reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressures from baseline to 6 months averaged -17 +/- 13 and -10 +/- 6 mm Hg, respectively, with cilazapril and -23 +/- 16 and -14 +/- 6 mm Hg with atenolol. Concomitantly, Ep of the ascending aorta decreased with cilazapril from a median of 2,234 10(3)dyn/cm2 (interquartile range, 866-3,740) to 868 10(3)dyn/cm2 (515-1,486) and with atenolol from a median of 1,611 10(3)dyn/cm2 (895-2,790) to 1,054 10(3)dyn/cm2 (616-1,860). In repeated-measurements analysis of variance, the change in Ep with time was statistically significant (p < 0.001) but the group x time interaction was not. We conclude that 6 months of treatment with either cilazapril or atenolol reduces the stiffness of the ascending aorta in essential hypertension. No statistically significant differences between the effects of the two drugs were observed. The mechanisms and clinical significance of improved aortic distensibility with antihypertensive therapy deserve further study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Circadian variation of left ventricular diastolic function in healthy people.

AIM: To assess whether left ventricular function shows circadian variation in healthy people. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 10 healthy men (7) and women (3) aged 35-50 underwent M mode echocardiography of the left ventricle and Doppler velocimetry of transmitral flow at 4 h intervals over 24 h. The participants were in hospital over the study period and their diet, meal times, and sleeping hours were standardised as far as possible. MEASUREMENTS: Heart rate, blood pressure, left ventricular and atrial diameters, fractional shortening, peak early and late transmitral velocities, time from the second heart sound to the early diastolic velocity peak (relaxation time), isovolumic relaxation period, acceleration and deceleration of the early transmitral flow, atrial filling fraction. RESULTS: A circadian rhythm was observed in heart rate and blood pressure, but neither the left ventricular diameters and systolic function nor the left atrial size showed statistically significant diurnal trends. The relaxation time (mean (SD)) measured 144 (16) ms at 2 pm, 144 (21) ms at 6 pm, 149 (22) ms at 10 pm, 168 (23) ms at 2 am, 174 (28) ms at 6 am, and 151 (21) ms at 10 am (P = 0.009). Diurnal rhythms were seen also in the isovolumic relaxation period (P = 0.003) and in the acceleration of the early diastolic transmitral flow (P = 0.037); the lowest and highest values of flow acceleration were observed during the nocturnal and daytime hours, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Doppler indices of left ventricular filling in healthy people show diurnal changes suggestive of a circadian rhythm in the rate of left ventricular relaxation. The most likely underlying mechanism is the day-night cycle in sympathoadrenal activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Acute heavy alcohol intake increases silent myocardial ischaemia in patients with stable angina pectoris.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of acute alcohol ingestion on myocardial ischaemia in patients with coronary heart disease and stable angina. DESIGN: Randomised crossover study using fruit juice with and without ethanol. SETTING: Division of cardiology in a university hospital. PATIENTS: 20 patients with stable exertional angina and > or = 50% luminal diameter narrowing of at least one major coronary artery. INTERVENTIONS: Each patient was studied on two separate days, once after administration of 1.25 g of ethanol per kilogram of body weight diluted to 15% in juice, and once after an equivalent volume of juice; both tests were in the evening and lasted 90 minutes. The patients were scheduled to have 8 periods of walking for 10 min according to a time table. An ambulatory electrocardiogram and the occurrence of anginal attacks were recorded and blood pressure and blood ethanol concentration were measured until the next morning. RESULTS: The blood ethanol concentration (mean (SD)) rose to 28.8 mmol/l (1.3 (0.4)/1000). Alcohol raised the systolic blood pressure from 132 (16) to 141 (14) mm Hg (P < 0.05 compared with juice). The mean heart rate increased from 57 (7) to 64 (8) beats/min (P < 0.05) for 13 hours after ethanol ingestion compared with juice. The total duration of ischaemia during the ethanol test was 3.5 (median, range 0-80) min, compared with 0 (range 0-67) min for the juice test (P < 0.05). The difference resulted mainly from more silent ischaemia after ethanol ingestion (2.3 (0-80) v 0 (0-67) min; P < 0.05). The ST segment depression time integral increased during the ethanol test (4.4 (0-170) mm x min) relative to that during the juice test (0 (0-103) mm x min; P < 0.01) and especially during the following 13 hours after alcohol (3.5 (0-123) mm x min) compared with juice (0 (0-67) mm x min; P < 0.005). There were no changes in the number, duration, or ST segment depression time integral of the episodes of symptomatic angina, indicating that ethanol augmented the appearance of silent ischaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Acute heavy ethanol drinking aggravates myocardial ischaemia in patients with stable angina pectoris.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Assessment of right and left atrial function in patients with transplanted hearts with the use of magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the volumes and cyclic volume changes of the cardiac atria after heart transplantation in physically healthy recipients. METHODS: Ten heart transplant recipients (New York Heart Association grade I) entered the protocol. All operations had been made with classic biatrial anastomoses. Eight healthy volunteers were studied as controls. To measure the volumes of both atria and left ventricular cavity, we used a gradient-echo cine sequence. The 10 mm slices covered both atria over the total cardiac cycle. Images were planimetered, and simultaneous volumes were totalled to give the cavity volume at each time phase. RESULTS: The heart rate of the heart transplant recipients was faster than in controls, which resulted in higher cardiac output. The atrial minimum volumes were significantly larger, and fractional emptying was smaller in transplanted hearts when compared with controls. Reservoir and stroke volumes were smaller and conduit volumes were larger in transplanted hearts than in controls. The atrial filling and emptying rates were lower in heart transplant recipients than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: The classic surgical technique used in heart transplantation results in large atria with decreased volume changes and filling rates even in physically healthy transplant recipients. Magnetic resonance imaging is a reliable tool in assessment of atrial volumes and cyclic function after heart transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Breath acetone in congestive heart failure.

To summarize, CHF predisposes to postabsorptive ketosis in relation to the severity of venous congestion. A simple and fully noninvasive measurement of breath acetone may add to the diagnostic assessment of patients with CHF.

Acetone↗
PubMed1995

Intermittent mitral regurgitation and pulmonary edema after aortic valve replacement.

We report intermittent mitral valve regurgitation with 17 acute pulmonary edemas over a 16-month period after aortic valve replacement due to combined aortic valve disease in a 51-year-old man. The mechanism of mitral regurgitation was explained by the relatively large size of the prosthetic valve which had had to be sutured partly below the aortic annulus. It was suspected to interfere with the closure of the mildly diseased mitral valve when under pressure or subjected to volume loadings of the left ventricle which provoked free mitral regurgitation. There was no recurrence of pulmonary edema in the 50 months following mitral valve replacement.

Aortic Valve↗
PubMed1995

Influence of negative intrathoracic pressure on right atrial and systemic venous dynamics.

To investigate the effect of a sustained fall in intrathoracic pressure (Mueller manoeuvre) on blood flow through the right heart and on systemic venous dynamics, 16 patients were studied using thermodilution, cinevenograms and simultaneous pressure recordings with two micromanometric transducers. The reductions in airway pressure (median [range]) during two graded Mueller manoeuvres were 25 (20-30) and 42 (22-52) mmHg. Right atrial mean pressure decreased by 17 (2-25) mmHg during the former and 38 (0-49) mmHg during the latter, and simultaneously, pressure gradients of 23 (1-32) and 45 (1-82) mmHg developed between the inferior vena cava and right atrium (P < 0.003 for all). Internal jugular venous pressure decreased by 16 (4-25) and 24 (4-43) mmHg (P < 0.03 for both), respectively, and no pressure gradient developed between internal jugular and superior caval veins. The minimum diameter of the proximal inferior vena cava decreased by 69 (-49-84)% (P = 0.002) during the greater manoeuvre. Cardiac index tended to increase by 26 (-17-40)% (P < 0.066) during the lesser manoeuvre but did not change statistically significantly during the greater. In conclusion, during negative intrathoracic pressure caused acutely by the Mueller manoeuvre, right atrial pressure decreases and the inferior vena cava collapses partially at or below the diaphragm. Despite a significant venous obstruction between the lower body and right atrium, blood flow through the right heart increases or remains constant.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Heart rate and blood pressure variability and baroreflex sensitivity in hypercholesterolaemia.

To evaluate cardiovascular autonomic function in hypercholesterolaemia, we studied 16 age-matched pairs of healthy males with elevated serum cholesterol and normocholesterolaemic control subjects (altogether 37 men, aged 27-56 years). We used power spectral analysis to measure short-term heart rate and blood pressure variability, and the phenylephrine method to determine baroreceptor reflex sensitivity. The mean (SD) serum cholesterol concentration was 6.43 (1.22) among the hypercholesterolaemic subjects and 4.30 (0.44) mmol/l among the control men (P < 0.001). The respective low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were 4.44 (1.22) and 2.46 (0.38) mmol/l (P < 0.001). The total power (0.0-0.5 Hz) of heart rate and blood pressure variability did not differ between the groups, and neither did the high-frequency (0.15-0.5 Hz) and medium-frequency components (0.07-0.15 Hz). Mean (SD) baroreceptor reflex sensitivity was 18.1 (7.9) in hypercholesterolaemic and 19.4 (6.3) ms mmHg-1 in normocholesterolaemic subjects (P = 0.352). when all the subjects were analysed together, we observed a slight inverse trend between serum LDL cholesterol and baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (r = -0.235, P = 0.161). In conclusion, hypercholesterolaemia does not alter autonomic neural regulation of the cardiovascular system as assessed heart rate and blood pressure variability and baroreflex sensitivity.

Baroreflex↗