[Orthostatic hypotension and postprandial hypotension]. 1996

N Tamura
Department of Neurology, Saitama Medical School.

Both orthostatic hypotension (OH) and postprandial hypotension (PPH) may result from lesions in any part of the baroreflex arc, which comprises central autonomic network, afferent pathways, efferent pathways, and neuro-vascular junction. Nonetheless, most attention has been centered to the efferent pathways to date. In the present report, I discussed on the contribution of neuro-vascular junction and central autonomic network to the development of OH and PPH. I also referred to the essential difference in pathophysiology between OH and PPH. (1) Difference between OH and PPH: Essential difference is in triggers inducing the initial blood pressure fall. The trigger in OH is gravity, while that in PPH is abnormal release of vasodilative gastroenteric peptides; the former is equally delivered to all persons living on earth, but the latter varies from person to person. (2) Neuro-vascular junction: Previous studies, in which catecholamine drip infusion tests were carried out on patients with OH, suggested that all of cardiovascular alpha-, beta 1, and beta 2 adrenoceptors gain denervation supersensitivity in OH. This view does, however, underestimate the blood pressure buffering effect of baroreflex. Because long-standing alteration in blood pressure by drip infusion of catecholamine necessarily provokes baroreflex, it is reasonable that augmented cardiovascular responses in OH are largely due to baroreflex failure. We performed bolus infusion tests of noradrenaline and isoprenaline on patients with OH, and found that alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated rise in blood pressure was comparable to control, beta 1-mediated increase in heart rate was blunted, and beta 2-mediated fall in blood pressure was enhanced in OH. It is, therefore, likely that beta 2-mediated vasodilation exceeds alpha-mediated vasoconstriction in OH. In such condition, noradrenaline may produce a paradoxical hypotensive effect, which contributes to the development of OH or PPH. (3) Central autonomic network (CAN): Clinical symptoms due to lesions within CAN are usually not manifested when the efferent sympathetic pathways are highly impaired, as in multiple system atrophy. Some variants of OH and PPH may result from lesions within CAN, however. For example, we have experienced a case of sympathotonic OH associated with herpes simplex encephalitis, in which the efferent pathways do not seem to be involved.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007022 Hypotension Abnormally low BLOOD PRESSURE that can result in inadequate blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. Common symptom is DIZZINESS but greater negative impacts on the body occur when there is prolonged depravation of oxygen and nutrients. Blood Pressure, Low,Hypotension, Vascular,Low Blood Pressure,Vascular Hypotension
D007024 Hypotension, Orthostatic A significant drop in BLOOD PRESSURE after assuming a standing position. Orthostatic hypotension is a finding, and defined as a 20-mm Hg decrease in systolic pressure or a 10-mm Hg decrease in diastolic pressure 3 minutes after the person has risen from supine to standing. Symptoms generally include DIZZINESS, blurred vision, and SYNCOPE. Hypotension, Postural,Orthostatic Hypotension,Postural Hypotension
D004435 Eating The consumption of edible substances. Dietary Intake,Feed Intake,Food Intake,Macronutrient Intake,Micronutrient Intake,Nutrient Intake,Nutritional Intake,Ingestion,Dietary Intakes,Feed Intakes,Intake, Dietary,Intake, Feed,Intake, Food,Intake, Macronutrient,Intake, Micronutrient,Intake, Nutrient,Intake, Nutritional,Macronutrient Intakes,Micronutrient Intakes,Nutrient Intakes,Nutritional Intakes
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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