[Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) after induction of anesthesia in a patient with increased intracranial pressure and ischemic heart disease].

An 84-year-old male with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and ischemic heart disease was scheduled to undergo brain tumor resection. After induction of anesthesia using midazolam, fentanyl and vecuronium, sinus bradycardia, junctional rhythm and escape-capture bigeminy were observed. In spite of intravenous administration of lidocaine and atropine, the bigeminy did not disappear. As he awoke from anesthesia, his cardiac rhythm changed from a bigeminal to a regular sinus rhythm. After extubation, sinus arrest, which continued for up to 4.8 seconds, appeared frequently. A temporary pacing catheter was inserted and ventricular pacing was started (mode VVI rate 50 min-1). Four days later, the patient was again scheduled to undergo brain tumor resection. After induction of anesthesia with the same drugs as used before, his cardiac rhythm gradually became bradycardic, and a complete pacing rhythm was observed throughout the surgical procedure. After the operation had been completed, his cardiac rhythm changed to a regular sinus rhythm. In addition to degenerative and ischemic changes in the SA node, an increase in ICP secondary to a brain tumor is thought to have induced sick sinus syndrome after the induction of anesthesia.