The study provides physiological evidence for the convergence of central pathways from atrial receptors and baroreceptors on individual sympathetic efferent neurons.
Does not inform clinical practice; leaves open whether atrial-baroreceptor convergence shapes sympathetic outflow in human cardiovascular disease.
Recordings were made of the discharge of single fibres from renal sympathetic efferent nerves in the anaesthetized dog. Stimulation of left atrial receptors by distension of small balloons at the junctions of the pulmonary veins and the left atrium resulted in a reduction in the discharge of one group of these single fibres and no change in the discharge of a second group of fibres. Bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries resulted in an increase in the discharge of all single fibres tested. All fibres tested which responded to stimulation of atrial receptors also responded to carotid occlusion. These results provide evidence for convergence of the central pathways from atrial receptors and baroreceptors on individual sympathetic efferent neurones.
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Kidd et al. (1981) studied this question.
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