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Rate‐responsive pacemakers and anaesthesia A consideration of possible implications
Author(s) -
ANDERSEN C.,
MADSEN G. M.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1990.tb14339.x
Subject(s) - medicine , anesthesia , heart rate , contractility , breathing , oxygen saturation , general anaesthesia , cardiology , blood pressure , oxygen , chemistry , organic chemistry
Summary A new generation of pacemakers has been developed in recent years which adjust the pacing rate according to changes in physiological variables. The selected parameters are affected during physical activity that involves an increased heart rate in healthy humans. The variables include body movements, QT interval, breathing, temperature, myocardial contractility, oxygen saturation and changes in blood pH which may be influenced during general anaesthesia, and can lead to unphysiological, high, pacing rates. It is important to be familiar with the pacemaker and its functions before administration of anaesthesia in order to prevent complications. Rate‐responsive pacemakers in such situations should be programmed to exclude the rate‐responsive function.