Features of hemodynamics of pulmonary circulation during the diving reflex

The adaptive cardiovascular reactions of the human diving reflex were studied. The diving reflex was activated by submerging a face in cold water under laboratory conditions. Forty volunteers (aged 18–24) were examined. ECG, arterial blood pressure (ABP) and central blood flow were recorded by the impedance rheography method in resting state, during diving simulation (DS) and after apnea. During DS there is a statistically significant decrease in the dicrotic index (DCI), which reflects a decrease in the resistive vessel tone and as well as diastolic index (DSI), characterizing lung perfusion. A comparison of the latent periods (LP) of an increase in ABP and a drop in DCI showed that a decrease in pulmonary vascular tone develops faster than ABP begins to increase. The LP for lowering DCI is from 0.6 to 10 s; for an increase in ABP — from 6 to 30 s. A short LP for DCI and the absence of a correlation between a decrease in ABP and DCI suggests that a decrease in pulmonary vascular tone during DS occurs reflexively and independently of a change in ABP.