Lack of effect of midazolam on inducibility of arrhythmias at electrophysiologic study.

Midazolam has several advantages over diazepam as a sedative agent in electrophysiologic studies, but its electrophysiologic effects in humans are unknown. Therefore, its effects were studied in 20 patients undergoing electrophysiologic studies. Electrophysiologic variables were measured before and after administration of intravenous midazolam (5 mg). There were no significant changes in the electrophysiologic variables, apart from a minor decrease in sinus cycle length (711 +/- 124 vs 647 +/- 91 ms; p = 0.005). Ease of inducibility of reentrant tachycardia was not significantly altered by midazolam, and tachycardia remained inducible in all patients. The drug was well-tolerated with no significant side effects, apart from a minor reduction (mean 18 mm Hg) in blood pressure (p less than 0.001). Good amnesic effect was achieved in 16 patients, and most patients preferred it to oral diazepam for sedation during the procedure. It is concluded that midazolam can be used safely in patients undergoing electrophysiologic studies without significantly interfering with electrophysiologic variables or the inducibility of reentrant tachycardias.