[Anesthesia in high class athletes]

A case of general anaesthesia in a 49 year old male, high level specialist in triathlon, is reported. At the preoperative assessment, the patient had a sinus bradycardia of 45 b.min-1. The electrocardiogram (ECG) exhibited 2 mm ST segment elevation in leads V3-V5, an inverted T wave in leads V1 and V4, and a prolonged QT interval. The QRS axis was 60 degrees, the Sokolow index 44 mm; there was a partial right bundle branch block. These ECG anomalies disappeared during exercise. Heart sounds and blood pressure were normal. On chest X-ray the heart was enlarged. Five mg of midazolam were given orally 30 min before induction, and 1 mg atropine intravenously to increase the heart rate (40 b.min-1). Anaesthesia was induced with 2.5 mg.kg-1 propofol and alfentanil 15 micrograms.kg-1. Vecuronium 0.05 mg.kg-1, alfentanil 0.5 mg, 0.5% isoflurane in a mixture of 40% oxygen and 60% nitrous oxide were used to maintain anaesthesia. A further bolus of 0.5 mg atropine was necessary because of persisting sinus bradycardia. Surgery lasted 70 min. Heart rate and blood pressure returned to their initial values when the patient recovered from anaesthesia. Cardiac abnormalities are common in athletes; they must be distinguished from pathological conditions. When carrying out anaesthesia in these patients, it would seem highly recommendable to give 1-2 mg atropine, and to avoid associating negative chronotropic drugs.