question about Cushing's

[chbare]

Per my prior post, I would hesitate to say that baroreceptor stimulation is the only mechanism of action behind the bradycardia seen in Cushing's triad.

Take care,

chbare.

[kristo]

I've never understood why the baroreceptor reflex only slows the heart rate. You'd think that in order to lower the BP, it would both lower the HR and also vasodilate.

Well, the pressor center is also very active at the same time because of the brain ischemia, causing vasoconstriction, increased cardiac output, etc. The pressor and depressor centers are basically competing.

[kristo]

Wow....I was really confused there for a min. trying to think of what the heck hypercortisolism had to do with brain herniation! Now I get it.

I thought the very same when I first saw this thread. :-)