Vagus Nerve Stimulation In Hypertensive Rats: Assessing Pathophysiology Using ECG And Pressure Data
2017-05
Loading...
View/Download File
Persistent link to this item
Statistics
View StatisticsJournal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Title
Vagus Nerve Stimulation In Hypertensive Rats: Assessing Pathophysiology Using ECG And Pressure Data
Authors
Published Date
2017-05
Publisher
Type
Thesis or Dissertation
Abstract
Hypertension, which is associated with an imbalanced autonomic nervous system, is becoming an increasing problem in the US and worldwide, and new therapies are needed, since not all patients respond to current medications. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), which aims to restore autonomic balance, has emerged as a promising new treatment for this disease. In our lab, we conducted an experimental study aimed at assessing the safety and efficacy of chronic, continuously cyclic VNS to attenuate the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Hypertension was induced via a high salt diet and rats were randomized into two groups: Sham Control (n=6) and VNS Treatment (n=6). In vivo blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) were monitored continuously by an implantable telemetry system. We developed and validated methods to calculate time and frequency domain metrics for heart rate variability and blood pressure variability. Additionally, the sequence method in the time domain was employed to measure baroreflex sensitivity. Artifacts and ectopic beats can cause errors in the analysis of these metrics, so we also developed and validated robust pre-processing methods to edit ECG and pressure data in order to acquire clean signals. Results show that hypertension leads to decreased heart rate variability, decreased baroreflex sensitivity, and increased blood pressure variability, all of which are indicative of pathophysiological effects of hypertension. VNS may preserve heart rate variability blood pressure variability and baroreflex sensitivity at certain frequencies.
Description
University of Minnesota M.S. thesis.May 2017. Major: Biomedical Engineering. Advisor: Alena Talkachova. 1 computer file (PDF); iv, 66 pages + 1 zip file of supplementary data.
Related to
Replaces
License
Series/Report Number
Funding information
Isbn identifier
Doi identifier
Previously Published Citation
Suggested citation
Schultz, James. (2017). Vagus Nerve Stimulation In Hypertensive Rats: Assessing Pathophysiology Using ECG And Pressure Data. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/188761.
Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.