Comparison of the influence of different anesthetic protocols in the development of post-anesthetic arrhythmia in the dog

Post-anesthetic holter monitoring was performed in 2 patient groups in order to compare the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias as a result of different anesthetic protocols. The 2 groups differed in their anesthetic protocol. Both groups received levomethadone as pre-anesthetic. The dogs in group A (n = 30) additionally received diazepam, the dogs in group B (n = 30) received propofol instead. Anesthesia was maintained by isoflurane in group A and a propofol constant rate infusion in group B. In each patient 2 holter monitorings were performed. The first recording began directly after anesthesia. As a comparison a second recording was performed on the 5th post-operative day. The recorded number of arrhythmias was low and no statistical difference was demonstrated between the 2 patient groups.