Open-loop dynamic and static characteristics of the carotid sinus baroreflex in rats with chronic heart failure after myocardial infarction

We estimated open-loop dynamic characteristics of the carotid sinus baroreflex in normal control rats and chronic heart failure (CHF) rats after myocardial infarction. First, the neural arc transfer function from carotid sinus pressure to splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and its corresponding step response were examined. Although the steady-state response was attenuated in CHF, the negative peak response and the time to peak did not change significantly, suggesting preserved neural arc dynamic characteristics. Next, the peripheral arc transfer function from SNA to arterial pressure (AP) and its corresponding step response were examined. The steady-state response and the initial slope were reduced in CHF, suggesting impaired end-organ responses. In a simulation study based on the dynamic and static characteristics, the percent recovery of AP was reduced progressively as the size of disturbance increased in CHF, suggesting that a reserve for AP buffering is lost in CHF despite relatively maintained baseline AP.