title: Comparison of the effects of desflurane and sevoflurane on the QTc interval and QT dispersion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effects of desflurane and sevoflurane on QT interval and QT dispersion have been investigated in a prospective, double-blind, randomized study of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status I-II adult patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Anaesthesia was induced with inhalation of desflurane (desflurane group) or sevoflurane (sevoflurane group) in increasing concentrations to 3 minimal alveolar concentration level. The maintenance of anaesthesia was provided with 2 minimal alveolar concentration agents in both groups until the end of the study. Electrocardiogram, heart rate and blood pressure were recorded as follows: before premedication, before induction, 1 and 3 min after the induction of anaesthesia, after the administration of vecuronium and after the tracheal intubation. The induction times and the complications were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The QTc interval was significantly more prolonged with desflurane than with sevoflurane at the first and third minute after the induction, and at the third minute after the administration of vecuronium. There were no significant differences in the QT dispersion between the two groups. Heart rate and blood pressure were found to be significantly higher in the desflurane group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The QTc interval was more prolonged with desflurane than sevoflurane, and QT dispersion was normal with both agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Medical Faculty, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Silay
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kati
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tekin
authors.forename: Niyazi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Guler
authors.forename: Urfettin A
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Huseyinoglu
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Coskuner
authors.forename: Cihat
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yagmur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D000077335:Desflurane; D003971:Diastole / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012107:Research Design; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D013599:Systole / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D000077335:Desflurane; D007530:Isoflurane