Effects of XXXX on the peri-operative ECG, as determined by continuous Holter monitoring. A double-blind study.

@entity1 @entity943 @entity190 @entity594
A double-blind study was performed on 50 elderly @entity1 undergoing hip-replacement surgery under general anaesthesia; 26 were given @entity594 and the remaining 24 placebo to determine effects on the continuously monitored (Holter) ECG during the 4 peri-operative days. Drugs were only administered during the latter 3 days of the observation period. Surgery was performed on the morning of the 3rd day. A striking feature was the high incidence of @entity943 in both groups of @entity1 , a finding previously documented in both 'normal' and elderly @entity1 . A decrease in ST-segment changes was expected in the @entity594 -treated @entity1 . An unexpected finding, therefore, was the lack of protection against cardiac ischaemic changes in the @entity594 -treated @entity1 compared with the placebo @entity1 . Interpretation of the ST segment as seen in the Holter-monitored ECG remains controversial. We have no clear explanation for the lack of protection against ischaemic changes. The effects of profound vasodilatation produced by @entity594 in elderly @entity1 subjected to major surgery, general anaesthesia including administration of enflurane, and a variable amount of @entity190 in the postoperative period may be important factors. In conclusion, one should perhaps be cautious of @entity594 administration under these circumstances.
