This site is intended for healthcare professionals

CPD
CPD
Pro
Pro
Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Arrhythmias (fitness for anaesthesia)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Anaesthetic agents may sensitise the myocardium to the catecholamines released under stress: life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation can be precipitated.

Some general guidelines at the preoperative anaesthetic assessment:

  • atrial fibrillation: try to get the apical rate less than 100bpm and the radial rate not more than 20bpm less
  • ventricular ectopics - any more than two of the following criteria may require the patient to be treated beforehand with an antiarrhythmic:
    • runs of three or more
    • ectopics occurring more than once in 4-5 beats
    • multifocal ectopics
    • 'R on T' phenomena
  • heart block:
    • 1st degree is acceptable
    • 2nd degree:
      • type I - no implication for general anaesthesia
      • type II - pace because risk of heart block
    • 3rd degree: pacing required

bundle branch block: caution is required if RBBB and left anterior descending branch is blocked - patient requires pacing

 

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.