Neural control of the circulation in heart failure and coronary ischaemia: introduction

1. A large gap in our knowledge of the reflex control of the circulation still exists in the setting of chronic heart failure. This symposium will provide state-of-the-art experimental data on the reflex regulation of the circulation in heart failure and myocardial ischaemia. 2. Alterations in arterial baroreflex and cardiopulmonary reflexes contribute to the increase in sympathetic tone in this disease state. Additionally, changes in neurohormones, such as angiotensin, are thought to contribute. 3. Coronary ischaemia is associated with activation of both vagal and sympathetic reflexes of cardiac origin. The balance between activation of these two reflexes will determine the ultimate change in sympathetic outflow. 4. Sensory endings in the myocardium are exquisitely sensitive to local mediators, such as prostaglandins, oxygen-derived free radicals, adenosine and bradykinin.