Clinical relevance of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex.

TLDR: The physiology of the Bezold–Jarisch reflex and its possible physiologic role in a number of clinical situations are focused on and discussion of the limited relevance of this reflex in regional anesthesia is provided.

Abstract: THE idea that reflexes originating in the heart can play a role in normal physiology dates to the 1860s. Until the 1950s, these reflexes, and the Bezold–Jarisch reflex (BJR) in particular, were regarded largely as pharmacological curiosities with the only practical application of the study of the BJR being the clinical use of a veratrum alkaloid as an antihypertensive agent. Since the 1860s, it had been known that injection of minute amounts (0.005 mg) of veratrine or its pure alkaloid components (veratrum) initiates a reflex which causes a rapid fall in blood pressure and heart rate in association with apnea. This “Von Bezold reflex” was classically defined in association with arrest of breathing, but more recently, it has been called the BJR and includes the triad of bradycardia, hypotension, and peripheral vasodilation. It is now understood that certain inhibitory reflexes, which have origin with cardiac sensory receptors, play a role in cardiovascular homeostasis. Activation of a subset of these receptors by diverse stimuli increases parasympathetic nervous system activity, inhibits sympathetic activity and is responsible for eliciting the BJR. Some anesthesiologists have suggested that the BJR may explain cardiovascular collapse reported during regional anesthesia techniques. This review focuses on the physiology of the BJR and its possible physiologic role in a number of clinical situations. It also provides discussion of the limited relevance of this reflex in regional anesthesia. The topic of clinical management will not be addressed given the paucity of data on this matter, but suggestions for future experimental direction are offered.