Thiopental attenuates dysrhythmias in children: comparison of induction regimens.

Anesthesia was induced in 91 children using one of three induction regimens: (a) thiopental, atropine, and succinylcholine (T group); (b) halothane, atropine, and succinylcholine (H group); and (c) halothane, thiopental, atropine, and succinylcholine (H/T group). The incidence of dysrhythmias was significantly greater in the H group (85%) than in the T group (6%) and H/T group (20%). Fewer dysrhythmias occurred in the H/T group compared to the H group despite similarly prolonged QTc intervals in both groups. We conclude that induction of anesthesia with thiopental is appropriate and reduces the incidence of cardiac rhythm disturbances in children and that administration of thiopental to children during induction of anesthesia with halothane, atropine, and succinylcholine may reduce the incidence of cardiac dysrhythmias.