Abstract
A case of compleate A-V block under isoflurane with epidural anesthesia is reported. A 63-year-old male with no significant abnormal finding on preoperative ECG was scheduled for an elective total gastrectomy due to a gastric cancer. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane, nitrous oxide, oxygen and thoracic epidural anesthesia. About 20 minutes after the surgery was started, compleate A-V block was noticed on ECG monitor, because of sudden bradycardia, followed by hypotension. Atropine 0.5 mg was given intravenously, immediately heart rate was recovered, and blood pressure also returned to normal range. After that no ECG trouble was detected, and operation was completed without problem. Postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged from the hospital in a good condition. In this case, successful immediate treatment was obtained due to continuous ECG monitoring during the anesthesia and good alarming system that the machine had.
