Spectral analysis of hemodynamics during infusions of epinephrine and norepinephrine in men

• Published in: Journal of applied physiology (1985) Vol. 76; no. 5; p. 1914
• Main Authors: Tulen, J H, Man in 't Veld, A J, Van Roon, A M, Moleman, P, Van Steenis, H G, Blankestijn, P J, Boomsma, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.1994
• Subjects: Adult; Aldosterone - blood; Baroreflex - drug effects; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Double-Blind Method; Electrocardiography - drug effects; Epinephrine - administration & dosage; Epinephrine - blood; Epinephrine - pharmacology; Heart Rate - drug effects; Hemodynamics - drug effects; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Male; Norepinephrine - administration & dosage; Norepinephrine - blood; Norepinephrine - pharmacology; Renin - blood; Respiratory Mechanics - drug effects; Stroke Volume - drug effects; Vascular Resistance - drug effects
• ISSN: 8750-7587; 1522-1601
• DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1994.76.5.1914

Spectral analysis of fluctuations in heart rate (HR) and arterial blood pressure (BP) during a 6-h infusion of epinephrine (15 ng.kg-1.min-1) or norepinephrine (30 ng.kg-1.min-1) in 10 normotensive males was used to analyze effects of peripheral sympathetic nervous system activity and adrenal medullary discharge on cardiovascular variability. Power spectra were calculated for each 5-min period for HR, systolic BP, and diastolic BP to yield power values for three frequency bands: low (0.02-0.06 Hz), mid (0.07-0.14 Hz), and high (0.15-0.40 Hz). Infusion of epinephrine and norepinephrine induced plasma concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine, respectively, within the high physiological range. Spectral analysis showed that low-frequency fluctuations of BP during infusions of epinephrine and midfrequency fluctuations of BP during infusion of norepinephrine changed in opposite directions. These fluctuations may represent different components of short-term cardiovascular control mechanisms during situations that mimic increased sympathoadrenal activity. No changes were observed in HR fluctuations or high-frequency fluctuations of BP after either catecholamine. Our data imply that changes in concentrations of circulating catecholamines cannot be unequivocally labeled as indexes of an altered sympathoadrenal involvement in short-term cardiovascular control.