• G Lazarus and K H Weis.
• Anaesthesist. 1977 Aug 1; 26 (8): 375-80.

AbstractThe heart rate of anaesthesiologists under defined physical and psychological stress as well as during normal anaesthetic practice was studied. An acceleration of heart rate during induction and management of anaesthesia did not occur except in the presence of complicating circumstances. A phone call or a beeper alarm led to a rather ergotropic heart rate reaction (increase of 21%), especially when sleep was interrupted (increase of 75%). Locomotion for a professional reason, whether urgent or not, enhanced the heart rate up to 121/min. A simultaneous subjective feeling of psychological stress had no additional effect. The heart rate during the treatment of life-threatening situations remained at 109/min and often exceeded that of exhaustive running. The mean heart rate during the normal narcotic programe (90/min) was not uncommon and comparable with that of other surgical disciplines. However an increasing tolerance was seen with growing experience. Physical and psychological stress during the anaesthesiologist's work could be differentiated by means of heart rate except in some single observations. In the presence of both stressing factors the heart rate seems to be determined by the motor effort required.

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