ABSTRACT
Objective: To examine the effects of midazolam-induced sedation on heart rate variability (HRV). Method:Fifteen ASA Ⅰ- Ⅱ adult patients,undergoing elective surgery under lumbar epidural anesthesia were randomly selected. An intravenous bolus dose of midazolam(1.5mg) was administered every 3-5 minutes until patients' sedation levels assessed by observers assessment of alertness sedation(OAA/S) scale had scores of 1. Spectral analysis of HRV was performed at different OAA/S scores and at 3min,5min and 10min following OAA/S score of 1. Result:All frequency components of HRV were significantly reduced as patients' OAA/S scores decreased,especially low frequency (LF) and total power. Midazolam decreased normalized unit power of LF from 33.5%?8.9% to 16.65?9.6% and increased normalized unit power of high frequency(HF) from 11.7%?4.2% to 20.5%?26.5%. LF/HF ratio also reduced. Conclusion:Midazolam shiftes the balance of autonomic nervous activity toward the parasympathotonic.