Cardiac output during human sleep.

Impedance cardiogram and sleep EEG were recorded from four male and four female subjects, aged 21 to 22 years, during one night in the laboratory following one adaptation night. Cardiac output fell approximately 26% during the night as a consequence of diminished stroke volume, the lowest values of both occurring during the latter portion of the night, dominated by SREM (rapid-eye-movement stage). Intracycle comparisons between SREM and SWS (slow wave sleep) or between eye movement burst and non-burst SREM showed no significant differences in stroke volume or cardiac output. Pre-ejection period and systolic ejection period were measured and discussed. The non-coincidence of the nadir of metabolic activity, expressed as cardiac output, and the apex of slow-wave sleep activity supported the concept of slow-wave sleep as a period of physiological restoration.