Hemodynamic and catecholamine responses associated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Abstract Patients undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for nephrolithiasis are anesthetized and immersed in water in a semisitting position. Hypertension and tachycardia have been reported to accompany ESWL, and it was hypothesized that those problems were a result of adrenal medullary release of epinephrine or norepinephrine. Therefore, the effects of ESWL on cardiovascular variables and circulating epinephrine and norepinephrine levels in nine patients anesthetized with 1.1% isofurane in 50% nitrous oxide and oxygen were studied. End-tidal carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) was maintained at 34 ± 2 mmHg. Cardiac output (CO) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured, and total peripheral resistance (TPR) was calculated at the following time points: (1) after immersion prior to shock wave therapy (control); (2) after 300 shocks; (3) after 800 shocks; and (4) 5 minutes after the completion of ESWL with the patient still immersed. Circulating epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations were determined at the, above times as well as before and after induction of anesthesia but prior to immersion. There was a statistically significant ( p p