Circulatory control in canine acrylamide neuropathy.

The baroreflex regulation of arterial blood pressure and heart rate was examined in dogs with acrylamide-induced peripheral neuropathy. In anaesthetized animals the carotid sinuses were isolated from the systemic circulation and perfused. The carotid sinus and vagus nerves were kept intact. The maximum baroreflex gain (the ratio of the change in systemic pressure to a change in sinus pressure) was significantly greater in the treated animals. A step increase in carotid sinus pressure produced long periods of asystole and sustained bradycardia in the animals with neuropathy. The alterations in the baroreceptor reflex responses were consistent with dysfunction of baroreceptor fibres in the vagus.