Stress response to endoscopy

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is often accompanied by tachycardia, which may lead to myocardial ischaemia. The pathogenesis for tachycardia is unknown, but the classic endocrine stress response may be of importance.

Seventeen patients (median age, 60 years) undergoing diagnostic gastroscopy without sedation or supplemental oxygen therapy were monitored by means of electrocardiogram, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry from 20 min before to 2 h after the procedure. Blood concentrations of glucose, cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine were measured before, during, and after the endoscopy. Anxiety level was rated before the examination.

Endoscopy was followed by a significant increase in norepinephrine and cortisol levels concomitant with a significant peak in heart rate (76 to 90 min(-1)) and mean arterial blood pressure (97 to 111 mmHg). Epinephrine was significantly reduced after the endoscopic procedure. We found no changes in glucose level or in arterial oxygen saturation. None of the patients developed signs of myocardial ischaemia during the procedure. There was no correlation between preendoscopy anxiety and the different stress variables (P > 0.3).

The endoscopic procedure induces a classic endocrine metabolic stress response, probably causing the observed tachycardia.