Role of peripheral chemoreceptors in response to smoke-induced apnea vs tracheal occlusion.

Reflex autonomic changes which occur after cigarette smoke enters the upper airways are partially due to peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation. Chemoreceptor denervation attenuates but does not abolish smoke induced bradycardia. Denervation nearly abolishes bradycardia induced by tracheal occlusion. Hypertension accompanies smoke induced apnea but does not occur during tracheal occlusion.