Anaesthesia for cardioversion: a comparison of sevoflurane and propofol

This study compared the induction time, haemodynamic changes, recovery characteristics and patient satisfaction for sevoflurane and propofol when used as the main anaesthetic agents for cardioversion. Sixty-one unpremedicated patients scheduled for elective cardioversion were anaesthetised with either inhaled sevoflurane 8% or an intravenous propofol target-controlled infusion set at 6 microg.ml(-1). There was no significant difference in induction time between the two groups: mean (SD) = 90.1(40) s in the sevoflurane group vs. 83.7(35) s in the propofol group. Mean (SD) time to recovery was significantly shorter in the sevoflurane group than in the propofol group: 318 (127) s vs.738 (355) s, respectively, p < 0.001. At recovery, the patients in the propofol group had significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures than those in the sevoflurane group, p < 0.001. The incidence of complications was low in both groups, with similar patient satisfaction expressed after the procedure. We conclude that sevoflurane is a suitable choice for anaesthesia for cardioversion and may provide greater haemodynamic stability than a target-controlled infusion of propofol.