Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
07:12
Evaluation of Cerebral Blood Flow Autoregulation in the Rat Using Laser Doppler Flowmetry
Published on: January 19, 2020
Clonidine improves postprandial baroreflex control in familial dysautonomia
1Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
European Journal of Clinical Investigation
|September 27, 2003
Summary
Clonidine improves cardiovascular autonomic modulation and baroreflex sensitivity in patients with familial dysautonomia (FD) after gastrostomy feeding, potentially preventing hypertensive crises.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Autonomic Function
- Pharmacological Interventions
- Autonomic Nervous System Research
Background:
- Familial dysautonomia (FD) patients often face hypertensive crises post-gastrostomy feeding.
- The alpha2-agonist clonidine has shown promise in mitigating these feeding-induced crises.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate clonidine's impact on cardiovascular autonomic modulation in FD patients.
- Specifically, to assess clonidine's effect on baroreflex sensitivity following gastrostomy feeding.
Main Methods:
- Nine FD patients underwent cardiovascular monitoring (RR-interval, systolic blood pressure) before and after gastrostomy feeding, with and without clonidine.
- Spectral analysis (LF, HF power) and LF/HF ratio assessed sympathovagal balance.
- Baroreflex sensitivity was quantified using the alpha-index.
Main Results:
- Clonidine increased RR-intervals and augmented high-frequency (HF) power of RR-interval, indicating enhanced parasympathetic activity.
- Clonidine reduced the LF/HF ratio, suggesting a shift towards parasympathetic dominance.
- While gastrostomy feeding alone decreased parasympathetic modulation, clonidine administration counteracted this effect and improved baroreflex sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Clonidine enhances baroreflex sensitivity and parasympathetic modulation in familial dysautonomia patients.
- This cardiovascular stabilization induced by clonidine may serve to prevent post-gastrostomy feeding hypertensive crises.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of β-Receptor Blockers
β-receptor blockers significantly impact the cardiovascular system by counteracting catecholamine-induced sympathetic responses. These medications decrease heart rate, contractility, and cardiac output, potentially leading to cardiac depression, life-threatening bradycardia, and death. Therapeutically, β-blockers function as mild antihypertensives and are utilized in treating angina pectoris and cardiac arrhythmias. However, nonselective β-blockers inhibit β2-receptors in bronchial smooth...
01:18Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
01:22Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics
Heart failure and kidney perfusion are interconnected in a complex way. Reduced renal perfusion and venous congestion are two significant factors that contribute to renal dysfunction in heart failure. The kidneys, primarily responsible for fluid balance in the body, are adversely affected due to compromised cardiac output and increased venous pressure. In response to reduced renal perfusion, the kidneys activate neurohumoral mechanisms to restore balance. However, these mechanisms can be...
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
01:22Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers
β-adrenergic antagonists, commonly known as β-blockers, block the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (ADR). They have several beneficial effects in heart failure treatment. They reduce heart rate, the force of contraction, and cardiac muscle relaxation. They also slow the atrial-ventricular conduction rate and raise the threshold for arrhythmias. The concentration of β-blockers determines their effects on bronchodilation, vasodilation, and...
01:30Heart Failure V: Medical Management
Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...