Increased norepinephrine levels during catheterization in patients with spinal cord injury

The hypothesis for this study was that catecholamine levels increase during urinary catheterization in human patients with spinal cord injury. Catecho lamine levels, blood pressure, and pulse were measured prospectively in 40 subjects at baseline and during urinary catheterization. Results showed a s ignificant increase in norepinephrine levels from baseline 245 +/- 240 pg ( standard deviation (SD)) to 314 +/- 311 pg (SD) during catheterization (P = 0.018, Wilcoxon's). Results also showed a nonsignificant increase in epine phrine levels from baseline (56 +/- 70 pg, SD) to catheterization (84 +/- 1 25 pg, SD; P = 0.35, Wilcoxon's). Systolic blood pressure increased from 11 4 to 124 mm Hg (P 0.004, paired t test). Diastolic blood pressure increased from 75 to 78 mm Hg (P 0.11, paired t test). There was no significant chan ge in diastolic blood pressure or pulse (P = 0.11 and P = 0.29, respectivel y, paired t test). In conclusion, norepinephrine levels increased during ca theterization in patients with spinal cord injury. Knowledge of catecholami ne levels in this process may assist in determining both pathophysiology an d potential pharmacologic treatment options in future studies.