Temporal Development of Autonomic Dysfunction in Heart Failure: Effects of Age in an Ovine Rapid-pacing Model.

Horn, Margaux A.; MA, Horn; Bode, Elizabeth F.; EF, Bode; Borland, Samantha J.; SJ, Borland; Kirkwood, Graeme J.; GJ, Kirkwood; Briston, Sarah J.; SJ, Briston; Richards, Mark A.; MA, Richards; Dibb, Katharine M.; KM, Dibb; Trafford, Andrew W.; AW, Trafford

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is predominantly a disease of older adults and characterized by extensive sympatho-vagal imbalance leading to impaired reflex control of heart rate (HR). However, whether aging influences the development or extent of the autonomic imbalance in HF remains unclear. To address this, we used an ovine model of aging with tachypacing-induced HF to determine whether aging affects the chronotropic and inotropic responses to autonomic stimulation and reduction in heart rate variability (HRV) in HF. We find that aging is associated with increased cardiac dimensions and reduced contractility before the onset of tachypacing, and these differences persist in HF. Additionally, the chronotropic response to β-adrenergic stimulation was markedly attenuated in HF, and this occurred more rapidly in aged animals. By measuring HR during sequential autonomic blockade, our data are consistent with a reduced parasympathetic control of resting HR in aging, with young HF animals having an attenuated sympathetic influence on HR. Time-domain analyses of HR show a reduction in HRV in both young and aged failing animals, although HRV is lowest in aged HF. In conclusion, aging is associated with altered autonomic control and β-adrenergic responsiveness of HR, and these are exacerbated with the development of HF.

Citation

Horn, M. A., MA, H., Bode, E. F., EF, B., Borland, S. J., SJ, B., …AW, T. (2015). Temporal Development of Autonomic Dysfunction in Heart Failure: Effects of Age in an Ovine Rapid-pacing Model. Journals of Gerontology, Series A, 71(12), 1544-1552. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glv217

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 9, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Dec 26, 2015
• Publication Date: Dec 26, 2015
• Deposit Date: Aug 20, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 18, 2024
• Journal: The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
• Print ISSN: 1079-5006
• Electronic ISSN: 1758-535X
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 71
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 1544-1552
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glv217
• PMID: 26707382