The cardiovascular response to laryngeal water administration in young lambs

The cardiovascular response to administration of water to the larynx was studied in unanesthetized newborn lambs. The cardiovascular components of this laryngeal reflex response consisted of a decrease in heart rate associated with a decrease in cardiac output, an increase in systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance associated with increased blood pressure and blood flow redistribution. Blood flow decreased in carcass, kidneys, intestines, liver and spleen and increased in head, brain and heart. The magnitude of the separate components of the cardiovascular response correlated significantly with each other and with the respiratory response. Alpha-adrenergic blockade eliminated the blood pressure and blood flow redistribution response. Atropine blocked the heart rate response. The reflex-elicited decrease in cardiac output and the increase in systemic vascular resistance were augmented by beta-adrenergic blockade. The cardiovascular responses were diminished, but not abolished, when oxygenation and rhythmic ventilation were artificially maintained during laryngeal water stimulation. These results indicate the possible interaction with the arterial chemoreceptors, stimulated by the concomitant 26 torr decrease in arterial oxygen tension, as well as with the cessation of the pulmonary inflation reflex associated with the apnoea.