British journal of anaesthesia
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Comparative Study
E.C.G changes during halothane and enflurane anaesthesia for E.N.T. surgery in children.
E.c.g. changes were compared in 152 children undergoing adenoidectomy of adenotonsillectomy (T + A) under halothane or enflurane anaesthesia. Junctional rhythm occurred in 4-16% of the children in adenoidectomy groups and in 11-33% in T + A groups. Bundle branch block occurred in 4% of the children anaesthetized with halothane, but not with enflurane and was particularly common in association with thiopentone and T + A operations; one patient had bifocal ventricular tachycardia. ⋯ QT interval was not changed after Althesin with or without suxamethonium. Mean preanaesthetic QT interval (+/- SEM) was significantly prolonged (492 +/- 22 ms; normal 440 ms) in children showing aberrant conduction with chaotic rhythm, but normal (438 +/- 5 ms) when bundle branch block or junctional rhythm was present during halothane anaesthesia. QT interval was prolonged significantly in enflurane but not in halothane anaesthesia.