[Peroperative plasma catecholamine levels during cardiovascular surgery].

Peroperative catecholamine levels were taken as a method for the assessment of automatic protection. Plasma adrenalin and nonadrenalin levels (spectro-fluometric technique) were measured at different pre-, per- and postoperative times in twenty eight surgical patientS: fifteen undergoing cardiac surgery and ten surgery involving the aortic bifurcation. Anaesthesia included high doses of fentanyl associated with droperidol. During aortic grafts variations in catecholamine levels were not significant, whilst during and after ECC there was a significant increase in the values. These variations were slight in comparison with those which may be seen during the excision of a phaeochromocytoma and were very similar to those obtained during effort. There were wide individual variations.