Rhythm changes of the heart during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the elderly

To assess the cardiac rhythm changes during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the elderly, we studied 20 patients age ≥ 65 years by means of continuous recording of ECG performed twice, once up to four days before the endoscopic examination and secondly during the endoscopy. The heart rate (HR, beats/hr), the incidence of supraventricular premature beats (SVPB, beats/hr) and ventricular premature beats (VPB, beats/hr) did not differ before and during endoscopy. Premedication with flunitrazepam iv, the pre-existence of cardiac arrhythmia, the endoscopic finding of an organic disease, and age ≥ 80 years did not modify HR, SVPB and VPB. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in elderly patients does not induce significant changes in HR, SVPB and VPB, nor do premedication with flunitrazepam, the presence of serious pre-existing arrhythmias, or age over 80 years seem represent risk factors for rhythm changes during endoscopy in the elderly.