Noninvasive determination of baroreflex sensitivity in man by means of spectral analysis

The spectral analysis technique was applied for noninvasive assessment of heart-rate baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). The coherence between fluctuation of blood pressure and heart rate at 0.1 Hz and at respiratory frequency is high. This fact enables the assessment of BRS by means of calculating the modulus (or gain) of the transfer function between variations in blood pressure and heart rate. The noninvasive continuous blood pressure registration according to Penáz was used. During voluntarily controlled breathing intervals, the amplitude of 0.1 Hz and respiratory peaks in the spectra of heart rate and blood pressure changed markedly. Nevertheless, the average sensitivity of the baroreflex (modulus) changed insignificantly. This result indicated that the stability of BRS can be advantageous for the use of BRS in clinical practice. The difference between the modulus at 0.1 Hz and at the breathing rate indicates that baroreflex is only one of the factors causing respiratory arrhythmia. We also compared the determination of BRS by spectral analysis with the following alternative method: both lower extremities were occluded for 5 minutes. The release of pressure in the occluding cuffs decreased blood pressure which was followed by a baroreceptor-mediated increase of heart rate. Both methods correlated, but more detailed analysis revealed the role of the low pressure receptors in BRS determined by spectral analysis.