No abstract

The effect of calculation stress on hemodynamic parameters and plasma adrenalin and noradrenalin was studied in two groups of 6 male subjects, before and during beta-Blockade. One group received propranolol 15 mg i.v. and the other received mepindolol sulphate 0,5 mg i.v. There was an increase in heart rate, cardiac output and blood pressure during mental stress. A significant increase in plasma adrenalin but not in noradrenalin occurred at the same time. The stress-induced rise in HR but not that in blood pressure could be prevented by beta-receptor blockage with propranolol and mepindolol sulfate. The peripheral resistance (PR) and diastolic blood pressure in stress were even higher after propranolol than in the control study. Propranolol had no effect on the increased adrenalin concentration during stress, but it was prevented by mepindolol sulfate. There was no correlation between the increase in HR and that in adrenalin during stress, but the HR in stress and the HR reaction to infused isoproterenol were highly correlated.

In severe cases of tetanus an overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system has been postulated because of the clinical symptoms including hypertension, fluctuating blood pressure, tachycardia, tachyarrhythmia and peripheral vasoconstriction. In the present study the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in tetanus was investigated by serial determinations of plasma adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA) in 2 patients who developed severe symptoms of tetanus and the characteristic cardiovascular disturbances. Sustained high circulating levels of NA and A could be observed indicating a prolonged overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. In one case, the elevation of the NA level in plasma persisted until the disturbances of the motor nervous system ceased. In a third case of tetanus without cardiovascular abnormalities, the plasma NA and A only increased slightly on a few occasions. The results demonstrate that an overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system can complicate the course of severe tetanus.