Abstract
This study examined the test-retest reliability of measures of spontaneous baroreflex function derived from simultaneous measurements of beat-by-beat blood pressure (Ohmeda Finapres) and RR interval. Ten healthy men and women(mean age, 27.8 ± 1.7 yr) were studied twice (48h apart) in the resting state during paced breathing at both 12 and 16 breaths/min and during a standard submaximal cycle ergometer exercise test. The exercise test involved steadystate exercise at approximately 80 watts for women and 100 watts for men. During each testing condition, SBR function was recorded and analyzed as described by Parati et al. (Hypertension 12:214-22, 1988). Analysis of SBR function yielded the following parameters: total number of baroreflex sequences; mean slope (baroreflex sensitivity), mean RR interval; mean intercept; and mean systolic blood pressure (SBP). No significant differences were observed between mean values for the two trials for any of the 3 test conditions. In addition, similar values were observed for SBR variables during both resting conditions. As expected, mean slope and mean RR interval decreased during exercise, while mean intercept and mean SBP increased. Significant reliability coefficients were observed for baroreflex sensitivity in the resting state at both 12 (r = 0.83) and 16 breaths/min (r = 0.92). However, the reliability coefficient was not significant during exercise (r = 0.22). It was concluded that the analysis of SBR function is a reliable method for the study of beat to beat cardiac vagal modulation in the resting state.
Published Version
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