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Neurovegetative Regulation of the Vascular System

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PanVascular Medicine

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Abstract

The autonomic nervous system is an extensive and complex component of the human nervous system that governs many of the functions necessary for the maintenance of life itself. This chapter reviews various aspects of autonomic organization and regulatory functions as well as common disturbances in the system that ultimately lead to various disease states.

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Abbreviations

Autonomic nervous system (ANS):

The aspect of the human nervous system that regulates involuntary functions.

Hypothalamus:

A portion of the brain that contains a variety of nuclei that govern a variety of body functions, including autonomic control.

Implantable loop recorder (ILR):

Implantable device capable of recording heart rate and rhythm over prolonged periods of time.

Mechanoreceptors:

Unmyelinated C-fibers that increase electrical activity in response to stretch.

Neurocardiogenic syncope:

Also called vasovagal syncope. Caused by sudden sympathetic withdrawal resulting in hypotension and bradycardia leading to syncope.

Neurovegetative:

Another term for autonomic.

Parasympathetic:

Aspect of the autonomic nervous system that regulates inhibitory functions (“rest and digest”).

Reflex syncopes:

A group of syncopal syndromes which occur due to sympathetic withdrawal following an abnormal response to mechanoreceptor activation in a variety of areas.

Sympathetic:

Aspect of the autonomic nervous system that regulates excitatory functions (“flight or flight”).

Syncope:

The transient loss of consciousness with spontaneous recovery.

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Further Reading

  • Kanjwal K, Karabin B, Kanjwal Y, Grubb BP (2010) Preliminary observations on the use of closed-loop cardiac pacing in patients with refractory neurocardiogenic syncope. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 27:69–73

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Nursing, Health Science Campus, Syncope and Autonomic Disorders Center, The University of Toledo, 3000 Arlington Ave, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA

    Blair P. Grubb & Beverly Karabin

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  1. Blair P. Grubb
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  2. Beverly Karabin
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Correspondence to Blair P. Grubb .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiovascular Disease Department of Internal Medicine, Health Care Center Bitterfeld, Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany

    Peter Lanzer

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Grubb, B.P., Karabin, B. (2015). Neurovegetative Regulation of the Vascular System. In: Lanzer, P. (eds) PanVascular Medicine. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-37078-6_30

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-37078-6_30

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