Type A Behavior and Blood Pressure During General Surgery

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Abstract
The Type A behavior pattern (TABP) has been demonstrated as a risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Psychophysiologic studies suggest that the TABP may be associated with autonomic hyperreactivity to a variety of stressors. Recent studies report an association of TABP with autonomic hyperreactivity in patients under general anesthesia for coronary artery bypass surgery. A significant correlation was not found between the TABP and intraoperative rise in blood pressure for 44 noncardiac patients undergoing anesthesia for elective general surgical procedures. Suggestive associations were found in subsamples with family history of CHD or age > 60 yr. The TABP may be correlated with heightened physiologic response under anesthesia only in selected populations.