Effect of Single Dose Induction with Halothan on QT Interval in Children

Aim and Rapid and Confident induction of anesthesia is a goal for the anesthesiologist. In the meanwhile, most of anesthetic drugs are not without complication. In this study we evaluated the effects of anesthesia induction with halothane by single breath on hemodynamic parameters in pediatric patients. Methods and Materials: In this study 50 children were enrolled. For induction of anesthesia the single breath method with 5% halothane and O2- N2O (30-70%) mixture was used. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before induction, 1 minute after induction, 1 minute after using muscle relaxant, and 3 minutes after intubation. The heart rate and QT interval were recorded by ECG. Halothane significantly prolonged the corrected QT (QTC); it caused a mild increase in heart rate which reduced again after using muscle relaxant. However, another heart rate elevation occurred three minutes after intubation.Blood pressure decreased after induction and even after intubation which was statistically significant. Halothane is an arrhythmogenic drug which can prolong QTC in pediatric patients. Moreover, our study shows that it can decrease blood pressure and heart rate at the same time.