Emergence of a new paradigm in understanding the cardiovascular system

Abstract

■ The large conduit arteries undergo rhythmic smooth muscle activation
in synchrony with the cardiac cycle.
■ The contractions are neurogenic and are denoted as pulse synchronized
contractions (PSCs).
■ PSCs are not a movement artifact from the pulse wave or heartbeat.
■ The pacemaker for the PSCs is in the right atrium.
■ The smooth muscle wall of large arteries can contract as fast as
the heartbeat.