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EFFECT OF ANAESTHETIC AGENTS ON P‐WAVE DISPERSION ON THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM: COMPARISON OF PROPOFOL AND DESFLURANE
Author(s) -
Owczuk Radoslaw,
Wujtewicz Magdalena A,
Sawicka Wioletta,
PolakKrzeminska Agnieszka,
SuszynskaMosiewicz Aleksandra,
Raczynska Krystyna,
Wujtewicz Maria
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1440-1681
pISSN - 0305-1870
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2008.04963.x
Subject(s) - propofol , desflurane , anesthesia , medicine , general anaesthesia , intubation , tracheal intubation , inhalation
SUMMARY1 Anaesthetics influence cardiac electrical activity by various mechanisms; thus, they may have pro‐arrhythmic or anti‐arrhythmic actions. Increased P‐wave dispersion is associated with a risk of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The aim of the present study was to analyse the impact of propofol and desflurane on changes in P wave dispersion, which may reflect the anti‐arrhythmic effects of these drugs. 2 Fifty patients undergoing scheduled surgery were included in the study. Patients were divided into two equal groups: a propofol group and a desflurane group. Patients in the propofol group were initially administered 2.5 mg/kg propofol, followed by infusion of 6 mg/kg per h propofol. Anaesthesia in the desflurane group was achieved using inhalation induction, with concentrations up to 8–12.5 vol%. When signs of adequate anaesthesia were observed, the concentration of desflurane was reduced to 6 vol%. An electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained before induction and then again 1, 3 and 5 min after the initiation of propofol infusion or the induction of anaesthesia in the desflurane group; additional measurements were performed after tracheal intubation. P‐wave dispersion was assessed by differences in maximal and minimal P‐wave duration on a 12‐lead ECG. 3 P‐wave dispersion did not change over time in the desflurane group. In the propofol group, there was a significant decrease in P‐wave dispersion after 3 and 5 min of anaesthesia. Significant differences were observed between study groups after 1, 3 and 5 min of anaesthesia, and disappeared after tracheal intubation. Mean and maximal P‐wave duration did not change in either group. 4 In conlcusion, propofol decreases P‐wave dispersion and this seems to be connected with the anti‐arrhythmic properties of the drug.