[Relationship between the state of the autonomic nervous system and nociceptive reactivity during preoperative...

Using a complex of techniques, the state of autonomic nervous system, nociceptive reactivity, emotional status and endocrine reactions have been studied in 108 patients with preoperative emotional stress. It has been established that the immediate preoperative period in young patients is characterized by predominance of sympathetic nervous system tone associated with hypercortisolemia and high nociceptive reactivity. Sedative effect of premedication with tranquilizers is poorly realized. Elderly patients in analogous conditions are characterized by predominance of parasympathicotonia, low autonomic, emotional, endocrine and nociceptive reactivity.