The effect of stimulus pattern on the pressure response to electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus nerve of cats.

SummaryThe resultant effect of CSN stimulation, as well as depending on the stimulus strength or duration, also depends upon the pattern of the stimulation. Intermittent stimuli have been shown in these experiments to produce a fall in blood pressure, whereas, stimuli with identical parameters produced a rise in pressure when applied continuously. Similarly, it has been shown that when the stimulus parameters were such that depressor effects were seen to continuous stimulation, grouping the stimuli produced equivalent or greater depressor responses with 10% or less of the total number of stimuli per second. This observation may be of relevance in the design of baropacers for the treatment of certain types of hypertension.