Changes of Plasma Catecholamine Levels during N₂O, O₂-Epidural Anesthesia and Surgery

Abstract

The changes of hemodynamics and the level of plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine were studied on 20 patients who underwent the upper abdominal surgery under N₂O, O₂-epidural anesthesia.
Arterial Pressure was kept slightly lower than control and the rate-pressure product was also stable at the level of below 10000. Both epinephrine and norepinephrine level showed mild reduction and was stable.
Nitrous oxide-oxygen anesthesia associated with epidural analgesia is considered to be very stable and it is satisfactory from view point of hemodynamics and the level of plasma catecholamine.