ABSTRACT
Many anaesthetic agents and neuroaxial blocks interfere with the autonomic nervous system (ANS). However, there are occasions when we seek to manipulate the autonomic system deliberately, using various drugs (e.g. inotropes, β-blockers) and manoeuvres (e.g. valsalva). This question has a wide scope and can lead onto a variety of topics including the vagus nerve, autonomic reflexes and drugs acting on the autonomic system.
