Different endocrinal and hemodynamic response patterns to various noxious stimuli

Various endocrinal and hemodynamic parameters of 5 patients during a cardiovascular investigation were assessed in and after the adaptation phase, and together with the following noxious stimuli in random order: reading a confusion color chart based on the principle of interference in color perception, cold pressure test, isometric stress with a hand ergometer. The following parameters were assessed: arginine vasopressin, renin, heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac index, stroke volume and total peripheral resistance in the adaptation phase and during the various psychological and physical demand situations as well as 5 min afterwards. The results show that the organism reacts to the various stimuli with endocrinal and hemodynamic responses in a differentiated pattern in contrast to the model of the "alarm reaction" which, according to Cannon, states a homogeneous directed response with regard to the various parameters.