Cardiac Rhythm in Men During Cystoscopy

Abstract

Cardiac rhythm was monitored prospectively in 69 men during 191 cystoscopies. Ectopic beats from ventricular and supraventricular foci occurred in a significantly greater proportion of procedures in men with (76 per cent) compared to men without (16 per cent) heart disease. Other arrhythmias occurred to a lesser extent but there was no significant difference between men with and without heart disease. Plasma lidocaine was detected in significant amounts following intraurethral injection used for local anesthesia. Comparison of the types of arrhythmias that occurred during cytoscopy and the type of anesthetic used showed that significantly fewer ventricular ectopic beats occurred with general (8 per cent) or epidural anesthesia (13.8 per cent) as opposed to local lidocaine anesthesia (48.7 per cent). Among the 3 anesthetic groups there was no difference with respect to frequency of supraventricular ectopic beats. No permanent cardiovascular complications occurred although several potentially serious dysrhythmias were seen.