[Preoperative psychological state--correlations with anesthesia--relevant psychophysiologic parameters].

In 379 patients prior to surgery the psychological state was determined using a self evaluation inventory. Correlations were sought to heart rate and blood pressure readings at different times before and during anaesthesia. Patients in a poor psychological state had higher heart rates before and during anaesthesia. Before anesthesia heart rate increase correlated to the degree of anxiety. During intubation patients previously having felt markedly depressed or hopeful showed higher heart rates than those having felt moderately depressed. Asthenic patients also had high heart rates during anaesthesia. There results were statistically significant (F-Test). The quality of sleep on the night preceding surgery was rated poor by 31% of patients. This observation underscores the need for solving this problem on organizational and pharmacotherapeutic levels. 18% of patients complained of lacking or poor effects of preanaesthetic medication consisting of analgetics, neuroleptics and vagolytics. Among these anxious, depressed and hopeful patients were significantly overrepresented, comprising those groups who exhibit unfavourable psychophysical reactions as well. This observation clearly demonstrates the need for individualized preanaesthetic medication. It is suggested that in evaluating drugs used in premedication their effect on psychological and psychophysical parameters be scrutinized.