Effect of ramosetron on the QT interval during sevoflurane anaesthesia in children A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND We investigated the effects of concomitant administration of sevoflurane and ramosetron on the QT interval, the interval between the peak and end of the T wave (Tpe) and Tpe/QT ratio in children. OBJECTIVES To compare the effects of concomitant administration of ramosetron and sevoflurane on heart rate corrected interval with Bazett's formula (QTc), Tpe interval and Tpe/QT ratio. DESIGN A prospective observational study. SETTING Elective orthopaedic surgery with patient-controlled analgesia. PATIENTS Forty children aged between 3 and 12 years. INTERVENTION ECG recordings were collected before induction (BASE), before sevoflurane administration (SEVO) and after the administration of ramosetron (SEVO and R). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The heart rate corrected interval with Bazett's formula (QTc), Tpe interval and Tpe/QT ratio were calculated and the changes were analysed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS The QTc interval at BASE was 388.5 +/- 29.3 ms. It increased with sevoflurane anaesthesia to 414.9 +/- 21.4 ms and did not change with the administration of ramosetron (418.2 +/- 23.0 ms). The Tpe interval and Tpe/QT ratio did not differ between measurements. No ventricular arrhythmias occurred during the study. CONCLUSION Ramosetron was not associated with prolongation of the QTc interval when it was given concomitantly with sevoflurane in children. No ventricular arrhythmias or other adverse effects occurred during the study.