[Baroreflex failure syndrome: an uncommon case of an extreme blood pressure variability].

INTRODUCTION

The arterial baroreflex operates in physiological conditions. It induces sympathetic and vagal activity modulation resulting in arterial tone and heart rate changes. These appropriate responses limit blood pressure fluctuations and blood pressure is therefore regulated since the baroreflex constantly buffers the changes.

EXEGESIS

Bilateral carotid body tumor excision resulted in excessive fluctuations of blood pressure. Indices of spontaneous baroreflex activity were markedly altered in the patient described herein.

CONCLUSION

The excessive fluctuations of blood pressure due to the sinoaortic denervation demonstrate how powerful is this negative feedback control mechanism in control conditions.