Abstract
The objective of the present study is to compare the HRV and sedative dose betweenolder dental patients (from 50's to 70's) and younger patients.
The thirty-onesubjects selected from oral surgical outpatients were assigned to two groups: Group 1 consisted of 12 older patients (50's to 70's) for tooth extraction or cystectomy, excluding patients with a history of circulatory and respiratory disease; Group 2 consisted of 19 younger patients. The subjects received intravenous sedation with propofol. The HRV and vital signs before, during, and after surgery were compared. The results were as follows:
1) In the comparison of values before surgery between the groups, the values measured in Group 1 for TP (total power), LF (low frequency component), and HF (high frequency component) in HRV were significantly lower compared to Group 2. This indicated that Group 1 showed a reduction in autonomic activity, and particularly in parasympathetic system activity. Group 1 demonstrated significantly higher values for blood pressure, but no significant differences were observed for heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate.
2) In the comparison of values before and during surgery, LF/HF and LFnorm (LF/TP×100) as indications of sympathetic nerves showed a declining trend, resulting in the equalization of the autonomic balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. However, in the comparison between the groups, no significant differences were found in LF/HF and LFnorm during surgery. For vital signs, both groups demonstrated a significant decrease in blood pressure during surgery, but no significant differences were observed in heart rate. The parameters after surgery returned to pretreatment values in both groups.
3) The average continuous dosage of propofol used during surgery was significantly smaller in Group 1 than Group 2.
The results revealed a reduction in heart rate variability among older patients (50's to 70's) compared to younger patients.Consequently, a combination of intravenous sedation suggested that attention must be given to avoid excessive administration of a sedative.
