Abstract
The ratio of the first derivative (dP/dt) of a carotid artery pulse to the developed pressure (P), (dP/dt)/P, is an easily measurable, noninvasive index of cardiac contractility even in moderate exercise. We examined the effects of transient cold exposure on cardiac contractility in normal reactors (n = 12) and hyperreactors (an increase in systolic or diastolic pressure >15 mm Hg; n = 6) by using this index. Eighteen healthy participants were subjected to the cold pressor test, which required them to immerse the right hand in chilly water (4°C) for 2 min. Although cold stress maximally increased mean blood pressure during the second minute, it maximally increased heart rate and cardiac contractility after 60 s of immersion in both groups of subjects. Comparing normal reactors and hyperreactors by two-way ANOVA revealed a group × time interaction for heart rate but not for cardiac contractility. These findings suggest that the increase in cardiac contractility during cold-water immersion dose not reflect the levels of heart rate and muscle sympathetic nerve activity, and that the specific responses of cardiac function to a cold pressor test in hyperreactors depends on heart rate rather than cardiac contractility.
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We are indebted to Professor emeritus Hisashi Ogawa for his advice and editorial help. We also thank our laboratory students for excellent technical assistance.
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Moriyama, K., Ifuku, H. Assessment of cardiac contractility during a cold pressor test by using (dP/dt)/P of carotid artery pulses. Eur J Appl Physiol 100, 185–191 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0415-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0415-x