PURPOSE: To eliminate stress as a variable in assessing the frequency of the oculocardiac reflex during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: Merida Ophthalmological Hospital and Oftalmedica, Mexico City, Mexico. METHODS: A pulse oximeter registered the heart rate of 30 sedated patients having LASIK. Sedation was accomplished with a combination of midazolam and fentanyl. The heart rate was noted before and during suction. The results in 1 eye of each patient were recorded. Oculocardiac reflex was defined as a decrease of 10% or more of the basal heart rate. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (46.7%) had a 10% or more decrease in heart rate when suction was applied. Ten of the 14 had a decrease in heart rate between 10% and 19%, 3 between 20% and 29%, and 1 of more than 30%. Two patients (6.6%) had an increase in the basal heart rate of more than 10%. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the oculocardiac reflex occurs more frequently in sedated patients than in nonsedated patients.
PURPOSE: To eliminate stress as a variable in assessing the frequency of the oculocardiac reflex during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: Merida Ophthalmological Hospital and Oftalmedica, Mexico City, Mexico. METHODS: A pulse oximeter registered the heart rate of 30 sedated patients having LASIK. Sedation was accomplished with a combination of midazolam and fentanyl. The heart rate was noted before and during suction. The results in 1 eye of each patient were recorded. Oculocardiac reflex was defined as a decrease of 10% or more of the basal heart rate. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (46.7%) had a 10% or more decrease in heart rate when suction was applied. Ten of the 14 had a decrease in heart rate between 10% and 19%, 3 between 20% and 29%, and 1 of more than 30%. Two patients (6.6%) had an increase in the basal heart rate of more than 10%. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the oculocardiac reflex occurs more frequently in sedated patients than in nonsedated patients.