Epinephrine to raise hr during surgery?

Question

For surgeons who perform awake lipo - with Ativan and opioid like Percocet... and the antinausea pill... If a patients pulse drops to 56 during surgery is it normal to administer epinephrine to raise it back up? Is it normal to not tell the patient this happened until 3 months later? Is this a normal complication and is it serious? Thank you in advance.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

A pulse rate of 56 is normal during any surgery whether local or general anesthesia is used. The more relaxed the patient is then the slower the heart rate. Many patients have a normal heart rate in the 50’s whether surgery or not. Athletes routinely run in the 50’s.  Giving epi is optional and of no significance and not serious at all.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Heart rate can decrease in surgery, especially with medication. If your blood pressure is stable and other monitors, you may be watched or given medication to raise the rate. This is not serious when you are being monitored and watched, and this is usually not discussed with patients since is due to medication at that moment and may not happen again. If you have an unusual response to medication, the surgeon usually lets the patient know so they can tell the next surgeon if he/she needs surgery later.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The normal heart rate range is 60-100 beats per minute, however some people especially runners may have a resting heart rate in the 50's or even the 40's.  A heart rate of 56 bpm would not be concerning as the medications you mentioned relax the patient and may lower the heart rate somewhat.

Epinephrine to raise hr during surgery?

Answers (3)

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