Effect of CO2 Insufflation on Corrected QT Interval Prolongation during Laparoscopic Surgeries: A Prospective Observational Study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Laparoscopic surgeries in various surgical specialties are most routinely performed with general anesthesia. Thephysiological effects of intra-abdominal CO2 insufflation combined with the variations in patient positioning can have a majorimpact on cardiorespiratory function. Prolongation of corrected QT interval (QTc) has been known to predispose torsades depointes, a potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmia may occur during CO2 insufflation. Our aim is to evaluate the effect of insufflationof CO2 on QT interval and QTc during prolonged laparoscopic surgeries.Methodology: Fifty patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 and 2, of either sex, between the agesof 25 and 65 years posted for laparoscopic surgeries included in the study. After general anesthesia, we measured mean arterialpressure, heart rate, SpO2 and ETCO2 before anesthesia induction, before CO2 insufflation, 30, 60, 120, and 150 min after CO2insufflation, 5 min after CO2 deflation, and at the end of surgery. We observed statistically significant increase of QTc intervalaround 120 min after CO2 insufflation.Conclusion: The cause of this QTc interval prolongation is multifactorial and clinical significance of producing life-threateningcardiac arrhythmias has to be determined.