J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1982 Jun;11(2):155-162.

Cardiac Arrhythmias Accompanying Experimental Spinal Cord Trauma in Cats

• Huh JT
• Lee YW

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the cardiovascular response to the spinal cord trauma in cats and to determine the autonomic mechnisms involved. The electrocardiogram and arterial blood pressure were recorded in anesthetized cats after the spinal cord trauma of 500 gm-cm at T4-T6 levels. 1. Acute spinal cord trauma caused a wide variety of severe cardiac arrhythmias and acute hypertension. 2. The increase of blood pressure could be prevented by intravenous phenoxybenzamine, and alpha adrenergic blocking agent. The pressor response was mediated by the alpha adrenergic receptor sites of the peripheral nervous system. 3. Tachycardia was occurred by the administration of atropine and bilateral vagotomy before trauma without affecting pressor response. 4. The arrhythmias could be eliminated by the combined administration of propranolol and atropine, but not prevented by the administration of either propranolol or atropine without affecting pressor response. These results suggest that the arrhythmias might be a response of hyperactivity of both sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system.

Keyword

Acute spinal cord trauma; Cardiac arrhythmias; Acute hypertension; Sympathetic nervous system; Parasympathetic nervous system

MeSH Terms

Animals
Arrhythmias, Cardiac*
Arterial Pressure
Atropine
Autonomic Nervous System
Blood Pressure
Cats*
Electrocardiography
Hypertension
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System
Phenoxybenzamine
Propranolol
Receptors, Adrenergic
Spinal Cord Injuries*
Spinal Cord*
Sympathetic Nervous System
Tachycardia
Vagotomy
Atropine
Phenoxybenzamine
Propranolol
Receptors, Adrenergic