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Pre‐operative baroreflex sensitivity and efferent cardiac parasympathetic activity are correlated with post‐operative pain

A maladaptation of the autonomic nervous system may been seen in patients with chronic pain that includes persistent changes in the autonomic tone, increased heart rate, and reduced heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity. Baroreflex sensitivity and acute pain intensity have been reported to be inversely correlated. However, it is unknown whether the same correlation applies with regard to post‐operative pain. In the present study, autonomic function was measured in patients scheduled for minor hand surgery and correlated with early and persistent pain after the procedure. Thus, the cause (autonomic imbalance) was present before the effect (post‐operative pain). Our primary hypothesis was that a lower level of pre‐operative baroreflex sensitivity is correlated with increased early post‐operative pain.