Baroreceptor influence on postural changes in blood pressure and carotid blood flow

¹ Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington

The effects of 30° head-down and head-up tilting on mean systemic blood pressure, carotid blood flow, and heart rate were studied in 16 dogs under morphine and Nembutal anesthesia. The tilting procedure was further repeated after denervation of the carotid sinus and aortic arch baroreceptors and after administration of a dihydrogenated ergot alkaloid mixture (Hydergine). The results indicate that the drop in pressure in the head-down position is primarily due to baroreceptor activity and that the baroreceptors are necessary for compensatory vasoconstriction on head-up tilting. Carotid blood flow decreased in both tilted positions in the control animals; the possible relationship to cerebral blood flow is discussed.