Oculocardiac reflex in sedated patients having laser in situ keratomileusis.
OBJECTIVE
To eliminate stress as a variable in assessing the frequency of the oculocardiac reflex during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).


METHODS
Merida Ophthalmological Hospital and Oftalmedica, Mexico City, Mexico.


METHODS
A pulse oximeter registered the heart rate of 30 sedated patients having LASIK. Sedation was accomplished with a combination of midazolam and fentanyl. The heart rate was noted before and during suction. The results in 1 eye of each patient were recorded. Oculocardiac reflex was defined as a decrease of 10% or more of the basal heart rate.


RESULTS
Fourteen patients (46.7%) had a 10% or more decrease in heart rate when suction was applied. Ten of the 14 had a decrease in heart rate between 10% and 19%, 3 between 20% and 29%, and 1 of more than 30%. Two patients (6.6%) had an increase in the basal heart rate of more than 10%.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that the oculocardiac reflex occurs more frequently in sedated patients than in nonsedated patients.
Paciuc
M
M
Mendieta
G
G
Naranjo
R
R
Angel
E
E
Reyes
E
E
D000328:Adult; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000009:adverse effects; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000009:adverse effects; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D010092:Oximetry; D012024:Reflex, Oculocardiac
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D008874:Midazolam; D005283:Fentanyl