All about Cardiovascular Reflexes: Anesthesiologists Need to Know

Sunisa  Sangtongjaraskul

Authors

Sunisa Sangtongjaraskul Chulalongkorn University

Keywords:

bradycardia, cardiovascular, CNS, hypotension, reflex, vagus

Abstract

Cardiovascular reflexes are fast-action loops between
cardiovascular system and central nervous system (CNS)
that contribute to modulation of cardiac function in
physiologic homeostasis. Specific physiologic change
stimulated the specific cardiac receptors in various
pathways. CNS processed the response via sympathetic
and parasympathetic nervous system. These pathways
might be from physiologic change in cardiovascular
system. Cardiovascular reflexes were frequently observed
in perioperative period, mostly were hypotension and
bradycardia, such as baroreceptor reflex, Bezold-Jarisch
reflex, Bainbridge reflex. A properly understanding of these
reflexes may lead anesthesiologists for the early detection
and treatment of cardiovascular change in time.

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