The Effects of Remifentanil on QT Interval during Total Intravenous Anesthesia of Propofol Induction

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare the effects on QTc interval of two different doses of remifentanil（RF）and one dose of fentanyl（F）during tracheal intubation under target controlled infusion（TCI）of propofol. Patients were allocated into one of three groups. Group RF0.25 received continuous infusion at 0.25μg/kg/min of remifentanil, group RF0.5 received continuous infusion at 0.5μg/kg/min of remifentanil, and group F received fentanyl 3μg/kg injection 2 min before propofol infusion. Patients received propofol at 5μg/mL for 2 min followed by 3μg/mL of an effect-site concentration using TCI infusion system. Rocuronium was given to facilitate tracheal intubation 2 min after the start of TCI. 12-lead electrocardiograms were recorded at the following time points： just before induction（T1）, 2 min after starting remifentanil infusion or fentanyl injection（T2）, 2 min after start of TCI（T3）, 2.5 min after rocuronium injection（T4）, and 2 min after tracheal intubation（T5）. QT intervals were corrected for heart rate using the Fridericia formula. Compared with T1, QTc interval at T3 and T4 was significantly shorter in all groups. QTc interval at T5 was also significantly shortened in group RF0.25 and 0.5, but not in group F, compared with T1. Neither fentanyl nor remifentanil prolonged QTc interval associated with tracheal intubation.