Spontaneous oscillations of systemic arterial pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass in man

Extracorporeal blood circulation (ECC) provides a steady flow and minimal pulmonary circulation in the absence of cardiac function. Oscillations of systemic arterial pressure were observed in 70 patients during ECC. At the onset of oscillations the frequency was as a rule 4 cycles per minute but depended on the temperature and showed a positive correlation with it. Correspondingly, the amplitude was about 6 mm Hg and depended on aortic pressure and showed a positive correlation with it. During the cooling phase of ECC the frequency decreased and the amplitude increased. The oscillations were independent of central venous pressure and ventilation. The oscillations disappeared either at the beginning of restitution of cardiac function or with decreasing arterial pressure caused by drug administration or rewarming. Arterial blood pressure oscillations have been described in experimental animals under various conditions but also in conscious man. The mechanisms underlying these oscillations are suggested to be nervous in origin, as is possible also in the present findings.