Rhythmic contractile activity, synchronized with pulsatile pressure changes, was recorded from rabbit aorta in vivo. The contractions were locked in frequency to the pulsatile activity of the heart even when the heart was electrically paced to rates as high as 600 cycles per minute; termination of cardiac contractility resulted in their elimination. When the atria and ventricles contracted at different rates, the pulse-synchronized contractions were locked to the atrial rate. Excision of the right atrium, but not the left, resulted in the abolition of pulse-synchronized contractions. It is concluded that common pacemaker controls cardiac and vascular contractility, coordinating events in the two tissues.
Control of vascular contractility by the cardiac pacemaker
Mangel, A., Fahimi, M., & van Breemen, C. (1982). Control of vascular contractility by the cardiac pacemaker. Science, 215(4540), 1627-1629. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.7071582
Abstract
Publications Info
To contact an RTI author, request a report, or for additional information about publications by our experts, send us your request.
Meet the Experts
View All ExpertsRecent Publications
Article
The daily association between affect and alcohol use: A meta-analysis of individual participant data
Article
Protection of forest ecosystems in the eastern United States from elevated atmospheric deposition of sulfur and nitrogen
Article
The use of patient experience feedback in rehabilitation quality improvement and codesign activities
Article