The present study compared the haemodynamic pattern of active and passive standing. We used non-invasive techniques with beat-to-beat evaluation of blood pressure, heart rate and stroke volume. Seven healthy subjects, aged 24-41 (mean 30) years were examined. Finger blood pressure was continuously recorded by volume clamp technique (Finapres(R)), and simultaneous beat-to-beat beat stroke volume was obtained, using an ultrasound Doppler technique, from the product of the valvular area and the aortic now velocity time integral in the ascending aorta from the suprasternal notch. Measurements were performed at rest, during active standing and following passive tilt (60 degrees). Active standing caused a transient but greater reduction of blood pressure and a higher increase of heart rate than passive tilt during the first 30 s (Delta mean blood pressure: -39+/-10 vs. -16+/-7 mmHg, Delta heart rate: 35+/-8 vs. 12+/-7 beats m(-1) (active standing vs. passive tilt; P<0.01). There was a significantly larger increase in cardiac output during active standing (37+/-24 vs. 0+/-15%, P<0.01) and a more marked decrease in total peripheral resistance (-58+/-11 vs. -16+/-17%, P<0.01). A precipitous rise in intra-abdominal pressure (43+/-22 mmHg) could be observed upon rising only in active standing. This was interpreted as an indication of translocation of blood to the thorax. There was no significant difference in haemodynamic changes during the later stage of standing (1-7 min) between both manoeuvres. These results suggest that active standing causes a marked blood pressure reduction in the initial phase which seems to reflect systemic vasodilatation caused by activation of cardiopulmonary baroreflexes, probably due to a rapid shift of blood from the splanchnic vessels in addition to the shift from muscular vessels associated with abdominal and calf muscle contraction. Moreover, the ultrasound Doppler technique was found to be a more adequate method for rapid beat-to-beat evaluation of cardiac output during orthostatic manoeuvres.
