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Vagal control of myocardial contractility in humans

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 November 2001

Barbara Casadei
Affiliation:
University Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
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Abstract

Until about 40 years ago, it was thought that the parasympathetic innervation of the mammalian heart was confined to supraventricular structures. Hence, neither the vagus nor its primary neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (ACh), were believed to have significant effects on the inotropic state of the ventricles or on their excitability. However, it is now well-established that vagal/muscarinic stimulation prolongs ventricular refractoriness in humans and has a small but distinct negative inotropic effect on the left ventricle, which is accentuated in the presence of elevated sympathetic activity (Löffelholz & Pappano, 1985).

Experimental Physiology (2001) 86.6, 817-823.

Type
Symposium Papers
Copyright
© The Physiological Society 2001

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