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Changes in central artery blood pressure and wave reflection during a cold pressor test in young adults

European Journal of Applied Physiology volume 103, pages 539–543 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

The relative contribution of sympathetic nervous system (SNS)-induced increase in peripheral vascular resistance on central artery blood pressure (BP) and aortic wave reflection (augmentation index; AIx) is not completely understood. Central BP and wave reflection characteristics were measured using radial artery applanation tonometry before, during a 3-min cold pressor test (CPT), and 90 and 180-s post-CPT in 15 young, healthy adults (25 ± 1 years). The CPT resulted in a greater magnitude of change in the estimated aortic systolic (31 vs. 23%, P < 0.05) and pulse (31 vs. 13%, P < 0.05) BP compared with the change in brachial artery BP. Additionally, the CPT resulted in an increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) (P < 0.05) and AIx (10 ± 2 vs. 26 ± 2%, P < 0.05). The change in MAP during the CPT was correlated to the change in AIx (r = 0.73, P < 0.01) and inversely related to roundtrip duration of the reflected wave to the periphery and back (r = –0.57, P < 0.05). The present study suggests that cold pressor testing results in a significant increase in arterial wave reflection intensity, possibly due to an increased MAP. However, the greater increase in systolic and pulse BP in the central compared with the peripheral circulation suggests that increased central artery wave reflection intensity contributes to increased left ventricular myocardial oxygen demand during CPT-induced hypertension.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Exercise Science, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Darren P. Casey, Randy W. Braith & Gary L. Pierce

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Darren P. Casey

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  1. Darren P. Casey
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  2. Randy W. Braith
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  3. Gary L. Pierce
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Correspondence to Darren P. Casey.

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Casey, D.P., Braith, R.W. & Pierce, G.L. Changes in central artery blood pressure and wave reflection during a cold pressor test in young adults. Eur J Appl Physiol 103, 539–543 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0746-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0746-2

Keywords

  • Wave reflection
  • Blood pressure
  • Sympathetic nervous system