MEASUREMENT OF PLASMA CATECHOLAMINE CONCENTRATIONS

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Abstract
The value of measurement of plasma catecholamine concentrations as an objective index of anxiety was assessed. A preliminary study was undertaken on 11 healthy volunteers (medically qualified), to determine if venous cannulation per se produced any change in plasma catecholamine concentrations. There were no changes in plasma catecholamine concentrations in the 2 h following insertion of an i.v. cannula, suggesting that venous cannulation did not induce a measurable stress response. Forty-eight surgical patients who were asked to rate their perceived anxiety on a linear analog scale immediately before premedication and immediately before induction of anesthesia were studied. Venous blood was obtained at the same time as these ratings. There were no significant changes in perceived anxiety or plasma noradrenaline [norepinephrine] concentrations following premedication. Compared with values before premedication, there was a mean percentage increase in plasma adrenaline [epinephrine] concentration of 40% before induction of anesthesia. A significant correlation was shown between mean percentage change n Linear Analog Anxiety Score and mean percentage change in plasma adrenaline concentrations.

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