Abstract
The heart has a dual autonomic supply, with efferent pathways that include the parasympathetic (vagus) nerves and sympathetic nerves from the thoracic paravertebral ganglia.1 These extrinsic autonomic neural pathways are closely linked to baroreceptor reflex activity, with changes in blood pressure playing a key role in either increasing or diminishing activity of one or other pathway. There also are intrinsic pathways that are closely involved with function of the heart. A variety of afferent information, a number of cerebral centres, and factors within the heart, ranging from the state of receptors to local modulatory factors, can influence how autonomic nerve activation effects cardiac function. This chapter will begin by providing an outline classification of both localised and generalised disorders that affect cardiac autonomic function. This will be followed by a brief description of the key autonomic disorders, the pathophysiological basis of the ensuing problems and how understanding of the abnormalities aids clinical management.
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Mathias, C.J. (1998). Pathophysiology of Cardiac Autonomic Disorders. In: Malik, M. (eds) Clinical Guide to Cardiac Autonomic Tests. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1057-2_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1057-2_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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