Electromagnetic Pulses Induced Fluctuation in arterial pressures without changes in the heart rate in Rats

Functional indices of the cardiovascular system (heart rate, systolic, mean, and diastolic pressures) were selected to represent biological end points that may be susceptible to the EMP exposure. Male SD rats were subjected to sham exposure, 200 kV/m (0.5 pps, 200 pulses altogether, SAR=50 mW/kg) or 400 kV/m (0.5 pps, 200 pulses altogether, SAR=75 mW/kg) EMP fields in a tapered parallel plate GTEM cell. Cardiovascular functions were evaluated from instant to 4 weeks after exposures using a noninvasive tail-cuff photoelectric sensor sphygmomanometer. Significant up and down fluctuation of the arterial blood pressure was found. In contrast, heart rate was not altered by these exposures