Comparison of aortic arch and carotid sinus distensibility in humans—relation to baroreflex sensitivity

We compared aortic arch (AA) and carotid sinus (CS) distensibility, and determined the relationship between baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and distensibility coefficients of AA and CS (DCAA and DCCS, respectively). In 47 healthy 19–71-year-old subjects, AA and CS end-diastolic diameter (D) and pulsatile distension (ΔD) was measured with ultrasound and arterial pressure by sphygmomanometer and Finapres. DC was calculated as 2ΔD/(D×ΔP), where ΔP is the pulse pressure. BRS was determined by the sequence method. Data are given as mean±S.D.; significance was set at p<0.05. DCAA and DCCS were linearly related across subjects (r=0.80, p<0.001). No difference between DCAA and DCCS (3.8±1.4×10−3 and 4.2±2.2×10−3 mm Hg−1, respectively) was found for all subjects (paired t-test). However, at ages <35 years, DCCS exceeded DCAA, whereas this relation was reversed at ages >35 years. Age accounted for 53% of variability in DCAA and 73% of variability in DCCS. BRS was related to DC (linear regression), with the BRS–DCAA relation being steeper and closer (r=0.73, p<0.001) than the BRS–DCCS relation (r=0.54, p<0.05). It is suggested that aortic baroreceptors may have a dominant role in heart rate control.