[The effect of the tidal volume on the sinus arrhythmia of the heart]

The sinus arrhythmia of the human heart was investigated in its relation to the tidal volume under resting conditions in the course of the day, in voluntarily changed tidal volume, under atropine medication and during physical work. In resting conditions it was found that nearly 40% of the sinus arrhythmia is of respiratory origin, and that no respiratory influence is demonstrable any longer at sufficient doses of atropine. Under physical load, the sinus arrhythmia is diminished in spite of the enlarged tidal volume. In this case, an additional smoothing influence to the sinus arrhythmia has to be assumed.