Anesthetic Technique for Transesophageal Electrophysiology Studies in Pediatric Patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: Patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome require risk assessment to determine their potential for sudden cardiac death. Transesophageal electrophysiology studies (TEEPS) are an effective risk stratification tool. The purpose of this study is to describe a minimially invasive, effective anesthetic technique to employ during transesophageal electrophysiology studies. Methods: A retrospective review of anesthetic technique utilized during TEEPS. Inclusion criteria; WPW on ECG; age <18 years; and no history of tachycardia, palpitations, or syncope and patient had TEEPS under monitored anesthesia care (MAC). Midazolam, Fentanyl, and Propofol were used in various combinations. Sevoflurane was used during induction period in all GA cases and discontinued 10 minutes prior to initiation of TEEPS. Results: Inclusion criteria were met by 20 patients with an average age of 11.9 years, average weight of 48.9 kg and average height of 149.2 cm. IV sedation was performed on 15%, MAC on 10% and GA in remainder. Airway management techniques included 13.3% LMA, 20% endotrachael tube (ETT) and 66% mask. IV sedation, the initial anesthetic, was found to be cumbersome and uncomfortable. Next was ETT and LMA but trouble pacing was encountered due to positional change of the esophagus relative to the left atrium during ventilation. Mask induction was then performed in remaining 10 patients with TEEPS probe inserted through a nare while anesthesiologist continued mask ventilation. All mask * Corresponding author. G. M. Gilly et al.18 procedures were successful without complications. Conclusions: Induction of anesthesia to perform TEEPS procedures on pediatric patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome underwent numerous attempts to make the procedure easy, reliable and reproducible for anesthesia and electrophysiologist. The eventual technique that proved to meet these criteria during a transesopheagel electrophysiology procedure was utilization of mask induction with continuous IV sedation.