Research projects currently underway in Dr. Hines’ laboratory include a variety of studies that examine mechanisms for alterations in autonomic regulation of cardiovascular function during pregnancy.    

• Measuring barorceptor discharge in response to increases and decreases in blood pressure over time during pregnancy.
• Measuring barorceptor discharge in response to changes in plasma osmolality during pregnancy.
• Measuring differences in pressure/dimension relationships in the right atrium and in the aortic arch during pregnancy.
• Comparing cardiac receptor discharge in response to volume expansion in a variety of volume expanded and volume replete states .
• Assessing the roles of nitric oxide and endothelin on baroreceptor discharge during pregnancy .

Future studies will investigate the roles of angiotensin II and progesterone metabolites in the altered responses to cardiac receptor stimulation during pregnancy.