SINUS NODE RECOVERY FUNCTION IS RELATIVELY WELL PRESERVED UNDER HALOTHANE ANESTHESIA IN CHILDREN

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of halothane on s inus node recovery time (SNRT). Nine children with congenital heart di sease scheduled for cardiac catheterization were studied. After the ro utine procedure, the sinus node was paced at rates of 120, 150 and 180 beats per minute. SNRTs were measured with control conditions and und er 1 MAC halothane anaesthesia. The absolute SNRT was standardized and expressed as '%SNRT' and 'Corrected SNRT (CSNRT)'. CSNRT was slightly prolonged by halothane (P = 0.042), while the %SNRT was not significa ntly prolonged. We conclude that the recovery function of the sinus no de is relatively well preserved under 1 MAC halothane in children.