■ The large conduit arteries undergo rhythmic smooth muscle activation
in synchrony with the cardiac cycle.
■ The contractions are neurogenic and are denoted as pulse synchronized
contractions (PSCs).
■ PSCs are not a movement artifact from the pulse wave or heartbeat.
■ The pacemaker for the PSCs is in the right atrium.
■ The smooth muscle wall of large arteries can contract as fast as
the heartbeat.
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