Arrhythmias during halothane anesthesia IV. The influence of a single dose of suxamethonium.

The effect of a single dose of suxamethonium on cardiac rate and rhythm during halothane anesthesia with babiturate induction was studied in a prospective, triple-blind trial with 28 patients. No atropine was given and patients were not intubated. A slight but significant preponderance of sinus-bradycardia without hemodynamic consequences was found in the group given suxamethonium. Suxamethonium did not provoke ventricular ectopies or conduction disturbances. It is concluded that in anesthesia with barbiturate induction, but without atropine or intubation, the use of a single dose of suxamethonium is a safe procedure with regard to cardiac rate and rhythm.