Electrocardiographic monitoring during hysterosalpingography

Five hundred hysterosalpinogograms were performed over a 2 1/2-year period at Louisville General Hospital for infertility evaluation, followup of tubal sterilization or localization of intrauterine contraceptive devices. The incidence of significant vasomotor reactions to the procedure was 5.0%. Of the 500 procedures performed, 30 were selected for electrocardiographic monitoring. Among these 30 patients, sinus bradycardia was noted in 5 and sinus tachycardia in 6 patients. No other significant electrocardiographic changes were noted, although transient minor alterations of rate occurred frequently. Predisposing factors and preventive measures are discussed.