A comparison of the effect on QT interval between thiamylal and propofol during anaesthetic induction.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of thiamylal and propofol on heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval during anaesthetic induction. We studied 50 patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery. Patients were administered 3 μg.kg−1 fentanyl and were randomly allocated to receive 5 mg.kg−1 thiamylal or 1.5 mg.kg−1 propofol as an induction agent. Tracheal intubation was performed after vecuronium administration. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, bispectral index score, and 12-lead electrocardiogram were recorded at the following time points: just before (T1) and 2 min after (T2) fentanyl administration; 2 min after anaesthetic administration (T3); 2.5 min after vecuronium injection (T4); and 2 min after intubation (T5). Thiamylal prolonged (p < 0.0001), but propofol shortened (p < 0.0001), the QTc interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]