Lack of time-dependent augmentation of carotid sinus baroreflex system after vagotomy

The purpose of this experiment was to study whether the carotid sinus baroreflex system (CS system) increases its gain with time after vagotomy in compensation for the loss of the vagally mediated arterial pressure control system (V system). In 7 dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium we determined the responsiveness of the V system by repeatedly measuring the overall open-loop gain (G) of the negative feedback control system. G was assessed as (delta API/delta APS) -- 1, where delta API and delta APS are, respectively, the immediate and steady-state falls in arterial pressure at the aortic arch following a stepwise reduction in blood volume. delta API, delta APS, and G in intact condition were -12.0 +/- 1.8 mmHg, -1.1 +/- 0.2 mmHg, and 10.1 +/- 0.7 (SD), respectively. delta API, delta APS, and G after vagotomy, i.e., G of the CS system (GCS), were -15.6 +/- 3.6 mmHg, -6.4 +/- 1.9 mmHg, and 1.6 +/- 0.4 GCS did not change with time over 4 h after vagotomy. We conclude that the CS system cannot augment its ability to restore arterial pressure in compensation for the lost function of the V system within 4 h after vagotomy in the anesthetized dog.