Background
The effects of sevoflurane on the electrophysiologic properties of the human heart are unknown. This study evaluated the effects of sevoflurane on the electrophysiologic properties of the normal atrioventricular conduction system, and on the accessory pathways in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, to determine its suitability as an anesthetic agent for patients undergoing ablative procedures.
Methods
Fifteen patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome undergoing elective radiofrequency catheter ablation were studied. Anesthesia was induced with alfentanil (20-50 microg/kg) and midazolam (0.15 mg/kg), and vecuronium (20 mg) and maintained with alfentanil (0.5 to 2 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) and midazolam (1 or 2 mg every 10-15 min, as required). An electrophysiologic study measured the effective refractory period of the right atrium, atrioventricular node, and accessory pathway; the shortest conducted cycle length of the atrioventricular node and accessory pathway during atrial pacing; the effective refractory period of the right ventricle and accessory pathway; and the shortest retrograde conducted cycle length of the accessory pathway during ventricular pacing. Parameters of sinoatrial node function included sinus node recovery time, corrected sinus node recovery time, and sinoatrial conduction time. Intraatrial conduction time and the atrial-His interval were also measured. Characteristics of induced reciprocating tachycardia, including cycle length, atrial-His, His-ventricular, and ventriculoatrial intervals, also were measured. Sevoflurane was administered to achieve an end-tidal concentration of 2% (1 minimum alveolar concentration), and the study measurements were repeated.
Results
Sevoflurane had no effect on the electrophysiologic parameters of conduction in the normal atrioventricular conduction system or accessory pathway, or during reciprocating tachycardia. However, sevoflurane caused a statistically significant reduction in the sinoatrial conduction time and atrial-His interval but these changes were not clinically important. All accessory pathways were successfully identified and ablated.
Conclusions
Sevoflurane had no effect on the electrophysiologic nature of the normal atrioventricular or accessory pathway and no clinically important effect on sinoatrial node activity. It is therefore a suitable anesthetic agent for patients undergoing ablative procedures.
Ventriculo-atrial conduction time during reciprocating tachycardia with intermittent bundle-branch block in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
