Heart failure and carotid body chemoreception

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Respiratory Physiology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• The carotid body (CB) chemoreflex plays a role in sympathetic and breathing regulation.
• Enhanced CB chemoreflex activity is observed in chronic heart failure (CHF).
• This enhancement contributes to elevated sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and periodic breathing in CHF.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in understanding altered CB function in CHF.
• To explore the physiological mechanisms driving these changes.
• To discuss the potential translational impact on CHF treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on CB function in CHF.
• Analysis of physiological mechanisms affecting CB afferent activity.
• Discussion of clinical implications and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

• Evidence implicates the CB chemoreflex in sympathetic and breathing dysregulation in CHF.
• The CB chemoreflex is tonically elevated in CHF, driving increased SNA and periodic breathing.
• Altered afferent function of the CB is a likely primary driver of these maladaptive changes.

Conclusions:

• The enhanced CB chemoreflex is a key contributor to cardiorespiratory dysfunction in CHF.
• Understanding the mechanisms of altered CB function is crucial for developing novel therapeutic approaches.
• Targeting the CB offers potential for improving treatment and management of CHF.