Wavelet-Based System Identification of Short-Term Dynamic Characteristics of Arterial Baroreflex

The assessment of arterial baroreflex function in cardiovascular diseases requires quantitative evaluation of dynamic and static baroreflex properties because of the frequent modulation of baroreflex properties with unstable hemodynamics. The purpose of this study was to identify the dynamic baroreflex properties from transient changes of step pressure inputs with background noise during a short-duration baroreflex test in anesthetized rabbits with isolated carotid sinuses, using a modified wavelet-based time-frequency analysis. The proposed analysis was able to identify the transfer function of baroreflex as well as static properties from the transient input-output responses under normal [gain at 0.04 Hz from carotid sinus pressure (CSP) to arterial pressure (n = 8); 0.29 ± 0.05 at low (40–60 mmHg), 1.28 ± 0.12 at middle (80–100 mmHg), and 0.38 ± 0.07 at high (120–140 mmHg) CSP changes] and pathophysiological [gain in control vs. phenylbiguanide (n = 8); 0.32 ± 0.07 vs. 0.39 ± 0.09 at low, 1.39 ± 0.15 vs. 0.59 ± 0.09 (p < 0.01) at middle, and 0.35 ± 0.04 vs. 0.15 ± 0.02 (p < 0.01) at high CSP changes] conditions. Subsequently, we tested the proposed wavelet-based method under closed-loop baroreflex responses; the simulation study indicates that it may be applicable to clinical situations for accurate assessment of dynamic baroreflex function. In conclusion, the dynamic baroreflex property to various pressure inputs could be simultaneously extracted from the step responses with background noise.