Correlation of Heart Rate During Norepinephrine Infusion with Pulse Pressure Following Amyl Nitrite Inhalation

Conway and Smith have suggested that a decrease in the pulse pressure following inhalation of amyl nitrite might be associated with loss of aortic elasticity. Studies in this laboratory have suggested that a decreased bradycrotic response during infusion of norepinephrine might also be associated with loss of aortic elasticity. It was hoped that further support might be given to such a hypothesis if both procedures gave similar results in the same patients. The present study was designed to compare the effect of inhalation of amyl nitrite on the pulse pressure and infusion of norepinephrine on the heart rate in normal, hypertensive, and arteriosclerotic subjects.