Dynamic time course of hemodynamic responses after passive head-up tilt and tilt back to supine position

Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, N-0317 Oslo, Norway Mechanisms involved in the control of arterial pressure during postural changes were studied by analysis of the dynamic time course of cardiovascular changes during head-up tilt (HUT) and tilt back to supine position (TB). Beat-to-beat values of cardiovascular variables were recorded continuously before, during, and after passive HUT to 30° in seven healthy humans. Left cardiac stroke volume (SV, Doppler ultrasound), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), and total peripheral conductance (TPC) were recorded. During HUT, MAP at the level of the carotid baroreceptors decreased by ~5 mmHg. There was a striking asymmetry between the time courses of cardiovascular changes on HUT and on TB. Adjustments generally took up to 30 s after HUT, whereas most changes were completed during the first 10 s after TB. Cardiovascular reflex adjustments of HR and TPC were more symmetrical. After HUT, SV was maintained during the first 4-6 s and then decreased steadily during the next 30 s to a stable level ~25% below its pretilt value. However, after TB, SV increased rapidly to its pretilt value in