Use of hypnosis before and during angioplasty

In this study, 16 patients matched with 16 controls were hypnotized prior to angioplasty. The hypnotized patients had a 25% increase in the time the cardiologist was able to keep the balloon inflated compared to the controls. Of the hypnotized patients, 13% required additional narcotic pain medication during the procedure as compared to 44% for the controls. Although we found no differences in rhythm, ischemia, blood pressure, or pulse between the two groups, the results of arterial catecholamine levels drawn at the start and at the end of the procedure were unexpected and seemed paradoxical. Norepinephrine levels were significantly higher in the hypnotized group (432 pg/ml, SE 51) than in the control group (281 pg/ml, SE 23) at the start of the procedure and fell more during the procedure than in control patients. Because catecholamines reportedly act as a barometer of neuroanxiety, further studies defining their role are needed.