Cardiac dysrhythmias during anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of cardiac dysrhythmias during anaesthesia and surgery.

DESIGN

A prospective study on 500 patients undergoing routine and emergency surgery at Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital.

SETTING

Sri Jayewardanepura General Hospital.

METHOD

Factors that may influence the incidence of dysrhythmia such as age, pre-existing heart disease, hypertension and anaesthetic technique were noted. Cardiac monitoring was commenced on each patient before the induction of anaesthesia and continued up to the recovery period. Any dysrhythmia that occurred was noted and a tracing obtained.

RESULTS

42 patients developed dysrhythmia of whom 21 were nodal rhythms. These occurred during maintenance of anaesthesia and needed no treatment. Fourteen patients developed ventricular ectopics commonly triggered by intubation. Only one patient needed treatment with lignocaine. Sinus bradycardia occurred in 6 patients who were treated with intravenous atropine.

CONCLUSIONS

Most dysrhythmias seen during anaesthesia do not require treatment with specific antiarrhythmic drugs. Correcting the cause is often all that is necessary.