
pmid: 26336414
pmc: PMC4283850
High thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) causes blockade of sympathetic fibers involved in innervation of the heart (segments T1-T4), which results in changes of cardiac electrophysiology. The anti-arrhythmic effects of TEA on supraventricular arrhythmias, mainly atrial fibrillation, are controversial.The aim of the study was to assess the influence of epidural anesthesia on the electrical function of heart atria, including proven markers of increased risk of perioperative atrial fibrillation, such as P wave dispersion and P wave maximum duration.The study involved 50 male patients, without a history of previous heart diseases, scheduled for elective surgical procedures. Patients received thoracic epidural anesthesia (group T, n = 25) or lumbar epidural anesthesia (group L, n = 25). The measurements were obtained from a continuous recording of ECG before epidural anesthesia and after the detection of blockade (T1 or T8 segment sensory block in groups T and L, respectively).The statistical analysis of electrocardiographic parameters, including the maximum, minimum and mean P wave duration; P wave dispersion; the maximum, minimum and mean PR interval duration; and PR interval dispersion, did not show any inter- or intragroup differences at selected time points.Regardless of its location, epidural anesthesia and sympathetic blockade associated with this procedure do not significantly affect the electrical functions of the cardiac atria reflected in superficial ECG, including the electrocardiographic parameters that are considered to be markers of increased risk of perioperative atrial fibrillation, such as P wave dispersion and its maximum duration.
Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care
Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 1 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
