TRPV1 and congestive heart failure: Our studies confirmed that an enhanced cardiac spinal reflex contributes to autonomic dysfunction, including increased global sympathetic outflow and impaired baroreflex function in the CHF state.13,43 Recent work from our group using resiniferatoxin (RTX)-mediated ablation of TRPV1-positive afferents confirmed their critical role in promoting adverse cardiac remodeling, dysfunction, and renal impairment in CHF.12,44