Effects of halothane and atropine on quantitative measures of heart rate variability in pediatric patients

Heart rate variability is under partial control of the autonomic nervous system. Quantification measures such as coefficient of variation, power spectrum analysis, and peak and trough analysis have been used on adult patients to examine parasympathetic and sympathetic control of heart rate variability. In the present study, the ability of an anesthetic agent, halothane, to block parasympathetic control of heart rate variability in pediatric patients was measured by coefficient of variation, power spectrum, and peak and trough. Results indicate that (1) heart rate variability, as measured by coefficient of variation, power spectrum, and peak and trough, decreases following administration of halothane, (2) heart rate variability, as measured by coefficient of variation, power spectrum, and peak and trough decreases following administration of atropine during halothane and (3) halothane decreases parasympathetic system control of heart rate variability.<>