DISORDERS OF CARDIAC RYTHM DURING BRONCHOSCOPY

Abstract

In a mumber of 21 patients treated in the Pneumonological Clinic of the Democritus University of Thrace a record was held concerning a 24h investigation of the heart rate during the procedure of bronchoscopy without total anesthesia. The investigation was made on a 24 hour observation basis and the bronchoscopy took place around the 12th hour. All patients during bronchoscopy showed relative tachycardia up to 120. No deterioration of the minor disruptions of the heart rate during bronchoscopy was observed, on the contrary a diminution was observed. The major arrythmias remained, while the bronchoscopy was taking place, as they were as far as quantity, quality and duration are concermed without any particular treatment beyond the usual pharmaceutical preperation. The major arrythrnias were observed in the case of a tumor located at the left lung. Neither bradycardial disruptions of the rate nor asystolies were observed. Νο repolarization disruption or deterioration of preexisting repolarization disruption was observed. Therefore, the possible disruptions of the heart rate do not constitute either counter indication or do they put special limitations for a bronchoscopy to be carried out on such patients.