Age-related reflex responses from peripheral and central chemoreceptors in healthy men.

Objective: The study aimed: (i) to characterize reflex responses from peripheral and central chemoreceptors in different age groups of healthy men (<50 years old vs ≥50 years old) and, (ii) to assess, within these groups, whether there is any relationship between ventilatory and hemodynamic responses from chemoreceptors and indices of autonomic nervous system (ANS).

Methods: Peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity was assessed by the transient hypoxia method and respiratory, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure responses were calculated. Central chemoreflex sensitivity was assessed by the rebreathing method and respiratory response was calculated.

Relations between combined oral contraceptive therapy and indices of autonomic balance (baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability) in young healthy women.

Introduction: There are structural and functional links between autonomic nervous and endocrine systems. Derivatives of estrogens and gestagens applied in combined oral contraceptives (COC) reduce the production of endogenous sex steroids, but their effect on autonomic nervous system remains unknown.

Aim: To compare indices of heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) among young healthy women taking vs.

Psychological gender of men with systolic heart failure: a neglected strategy to cope with the disease?

Diminished exercise capacity is a fundamental symptom of heart failure (HF), which is particularly disadvantageous for men for whom exercise capacity contributes significantly to their gender identity, self-esteem, and quality of life. In this study, we aimed to examine whether psychological gender would be different in men with systolic HF as compared with their healthy peers. The authors examined 48 men with systolic HF (age = 64 ± 10 years; body mass index = 28.

[Arterial baroreflex--physiological role and assessment of functioning].

Arterial baroreflex is one of the key mechanisms responsible for the homeostasis maintenance within the cardiovascular system. Through the modulation of sympathetic and parasympathetic drive within the autonomic nervous system, baroreflex enables to stabilize arterial blood pressure and maintain perfusion within critical organs (e.g.

[Coping styles in patients with systolic heart failure].

Introduction: Inadequate coping with stress, in the course of severe disease (e.g. heart failure, HF), promotes the development of depressive symptoms and disadvantageous behaviours (e.

Health locus of control and the sense of self-efficacy in patients with systolic heart failure: a pilot study.

Background: Treatment of heart failure (HF) requires the lifelong adherence to medical self-care regimes. The objective of this study was to examine health-control beliefs and the sense of self-efficacy (psychological features particularly important for efficient compliance among patients suffering from chronic diseases) in patients with systolic HF in relation to clinical status and depressive symptoms.

Subjects And Methods: Sixty-six consecutive patients with chronic systolic HF, hospitalized in the Centre for Heart Diseases, Military Hospital (94% men, age: 61 ± 11 years, ischemic etiology: 63%, left ventricular ejection fraction: 32% ± 12%), filled in (during their hospital stay): (1) the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale measuring three possible localizations of health control: "internality" (ie, the belief that health status depends only on personal decisions and behaviors); "powerful others externality" ([PHLC subscale] ie, the conviction that health depends on "powerful people" such as doctors, family members, close friends), and "chance externality" (ie, belief that health status is determined by chance, fate, or luck), and (2) the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale.

Circulating testosterone and estradiol, autonomic balance and baroreflex sensitivity in middle-aged and elderly men with heart failure.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is considered as a cardiogeriatric syndrome. Its fundamental pathophysiological feature is autonomic imbalance (and associated abnormalities within cardiovascular reflex control), but recent evidence suggests the involvement of deranged hormone metabolism. Both these neural and endocrine pathologies have serious clinical and prognostic consequences in patients with HF.

The influence of the sounds of crying baby and the sounds of violence on haemodynamic parameters and autonomic status in young, healthy adults.

Introduction: There is evidence that various stimuli affect the balance in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the functioning of cardiovascular system.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess whether the sounds of crying baby and the sounds of violence affected haemodynamic parameters and ANS in young, healthy adults and to measure differences in these reactions between the genders and these 2 stimuli.

Methods: Haemodynamic parameters (measured non-invasively by the NEXFIN device), heart rate and blood pressure variability (HRV and BPV, respectively) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) were analyzed in 65 adults (21 women, mean age: 23years) during a 15-minute rest followed by the emission of two 5-minute acoustic stimuli: sounds of crying baby and sounds of violence emitted randomly and separated by a 4-minute pause.

Comparison of invasive and non-invasive measurements of haemodynamic parameters in patients with advanced heart failure.

Aim: Measurement of haemodynamic parameters using a Swan-Ganz catheter is of clinical importance in patients with advanced heart failure; however, its applicability is limited due to its invasiveness. The aim of the study was to estimate the concordance between invasive and non-invasive measurements of haemodynamic parameters in patients with advanced heart failure.

Methods And Results: We examined 25 patients with advanced heart failure (20 men, age: 64 ± 11 years, New York Heart Association class III/IV: 88/12%, left ventricular ejection fraction: 37 ± 20%), 13 (52%) demonstrated decompensated heart failure.

[Assessment of chemoreflex involved in reflex cardio-respiratory control].

Impaired chemosensitivity is an important element of the pathogenesis and the course of various cardiovascular diseases. Our paper presents the assessment of the sensitivity of the central (located on the ventrolateral medullary surface, sensitive to hypercapnea and acidosis) and peripheral (located in the carotid and aortic bodies, sensitive to hypoxia) chemoreceptors, pointing out a physiological and clinical aspects of their application.

Changes in autonomic balance in patients with decompensated chronic heart failure.

Objective: In chronic heart failure (CHF) episodes of decompensation may be linked to derangements within cardiovascular reflex control. We investigated changes in autonomic tone in patients with decompensated CHF.

Methods: We examined 17 patients with decompensated CHF (14 men, age 62 ± 2 years, LVEF 32 ± 3%) on admission and after clinical stabilization.

[Assessment of the functioning of autonomic nervous system in the context of cardiorespiratory reflex control].

Derangements within autonomic nervous system take part in the natural history of cardiovascular disease. Current paper presents three categories of methods measuring autonomic status: direct methods (e.g.

Abnormal indices of autonomic function are no longer predictors of poor outcome in diabetic patients without neuropathy but with coexisting coronary artery disease who receive optimal pharmacological therapy.

Background: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and has been regarded as a parameter associated with a poor outcome.

Aim: We investigated whether indices of cardiovascular autonomic function have prognostic value in the current era of pharmacological therapy recommended for DM patients with coexisting coronary artery disease (CAD), which consists of drugs that affect autonomic balance, i.e.