Low-frequency arterial pressure fluctuations do not reflect sympathetic outflow: gender and age differences. Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Low-frequency arterial pressure oscillations (Mayer waves) have been proposed as an index of vascular sympathetic outflow. However, cross-sectional differences in these pressure oscillations may not reflect different levels of sympathetic nervous outflow in humans. Three groups of healthy subjects with characteristically different sympathetic nervous outflow were studied: young females ( n = 10, 18-28 yr), young males ( n = 11, 18-29 yr), and older males ( n = 13, 60-72 yr). Average R-R interval, arterial pressures, and systolic pressure variability at the Mayer wave frequency (0.05-0.15 Hz) did not differ among the three groups. Diastolic pressure Mayer wave variability was similar in young females vs. young males (39 ± 10 vs. 34 ± 5 mmHg2) and lower in older males vs. young males (14 ± 2 mmHg2; P < 0.05). In contrast, muscle sympathetic activity was lowest in young females (892 ± 249 total activity/min) and highest in older males (3,616 ± 528 total activity/min; both P < 0.05 vs. young males: 2,505 ± 285 total activity/min). Across the three groups, arterial pressure Mayer wave variability did not correlate with any index of sympathetic activity. Our results demonstrate that arterial pressure Mayer wave amplitude is not a surrogate measure of vascular sympathetic outflow.

publication date

  • April 1, 1998

has restriction

  • bronze

Date in CU Experts

  • March 29, 2018 1:53 AM

Full Author List

  • Taylor JA; Williams TD; Seals DR; Davy KP

author count

  • 4

Other Profiles

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1522-1539

Additional Document Info

start page

  • H1194

end page

  • H1201

volume

  • 274

issue

  • 4