The Augmentor Action of the Sympathetic Cardiac Nerves

An augmentor action of the cardiac sympathetic nerves is demonstrated to elicit profound elevations in systolic blood pressure. Diastolic pressure does not rise in an equivalent amount and significant increase in pulse pressure occurs. This persists for a considerable time after removal of the stimulation. During stimulation of the left cardiac sympathetic, an augmentor action is often not accompanied by acceleration. Stimulation of the right cardiac sympathetic evokes both effects. The elevation of blood pressure is chiefly produced by augmentation of ventricular beats, not by cardiac acceleration.