Anesthetic Management of Electrophysiological Procedures

How does the patient’s anesthetic management take place during electrophysiological procedures?

During the procedures carried out in the electrophysiology rooms, specialist anesthesiologists are always present.

Patients undergo a pre-anesthesiologic visit, during which the clinical history and diagnostic tests are analyzed.

A preliminary interview is carried out to ascertain possible allergies, lifestyle, possible presence of other pathologies and / or previous surgical procedures, resistance to effort and assignment of anesthetic risk.

The patient is requested to sign informed consent for the anesthetic procedure (for minors, consent is requested from the parents).

The choice of anesthesia depends on the type of electrophysiological procedure to be performed and the patient’s characteristics.

During the operation, the following clinical parameters are monitored: ECG, blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, capnometry.

What are the anesthesiological methods used during electrophysiological procedures?

During electrophysiological procedures, the following anesthesiological methodologies can be used:

Sedoanalgesia and anxiolysis:

It is an anesthesia obtained through intravenous infusion with hypnotic, anxiolytic and / or analgesic drugs, during which the patient is able to breathe independently, without the need for invasive aids in the airways.

The patient is kept pharmacologically in a state of sedation, but still remains able to respond to verbal stimuli, but anxiety and the possible onset of pain are prevented.

General anesthesia:

It is an anesthesia obtained through intravenous and / or inhalation infusion with drugs with hypnotic and analgesic properties and drugs that totally abolish respiratory activity and protective airway reflexes.

The patient will not be able to respond to external stimuli or breathe autonomously, but instead will require invasive aids placed in the airways (orotracheal tube or laryngeal mask).

What is the risk of anesthesiological methods used during electrophysiological procedures?

Anesthesiological procedures are practiced in compliance with company protocols and in compliance with international guidelines.

The procedures can, in very small percentages, be complicated by unexpected allergic reactions or problems affecting the nervous, cardio-circulatory and / or respiratory system.

During our electrophysiological procedures, specialist anesthesiologists are always present in our center, and all equipment is available to perform any resuscitation maneuvers, minimizing the risks associated with these procedures.