Anaesthesia and the QT interval in humans: effects of halothane and isoflurane in premedicated children

Citation
D. Michaloudis et al., Anaesthesia and the QT interval in humans: effects of halothane and isoflurane in premedicated children, EUR J ANAES, 15(6), 1998, pp. 623-628
Citations number
34
Categorie Soggetti
Aneshtesia & Intensive Care
Journal title
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ANAESTHESIOLOGY
ISSN journal
02650215 → ACNP
Volume
15
Issue
6
Year of publication
1998
Pages
623 - 628
Database
ISI
SICI code
0265-0215(199811)15:6<623:AATQII>2.0.ZU;2-B
Abstract
The effects of halothane and isoflurane followed by subsequent administrati on of vecuronium on the QT interval have been investigated during the induc tion of anaesthesia. Fifty-eight children, ASA I, without cardiovascular an d electrolyte abnormalities and not receiving any medication were studied. Anaesthesia was induced with either halothane (n = 28) or isoflurane (n = 3 0), and was maintained until the end of the study with end-tidal concentrat ions of 2.5-3%. Recordings of EGG, heart rate and systolic arterial pressur e were obtained at the following times: prior to induction of anaesthesia; 1 and 3 min after stable end-tidal concentrations of the induction agent ha d been reached; 1 and 3 min following vecuronium administration; at the tim e of tracheal intubation; 1 and 3 min later. Halothane significantly shorte ned the QTc interval (P < 0.05); isoflurane prolonged it (P < 0.001). Heart rate decreased significantly after halothane administration (P < 0.01); in contrast, heart rate increased after induction of anaesthesia with isoflur ane (P < 0.05), increasing fur ther after laryngoscopy and tracheal intubat ion (P < 0.001). Systolic arterial pressure decreased significantly (P < 0. 001) in both groups after induction of anaesthesia and remained decreased u ntil the end of the study. It is concluded that halothane may be a better c hoice than isoflurane for children with a long QT interval.