[Prevention by pindolol of electrocardiographic changes during bronchoscopy performed under local and general anesthesia].

Sixty patients were studied with respect to ECG modifications during bronchoscopy under local or general anesthesia, using dynamic electrocardiography. The increase in heart rate and incidence of extra-systoles were greater under local than general anesthesia. When pindolol, a beta-blocker with practically no bronchospastic effect was administered before the procedure, there was a significant decrease in the incidence of tachycardia and extra-systoles. This drug appears to be useful before bronchoscopy.