Propofol prevents further prolongation of QT interval during liver transplantation

Here, we aimed to compare the effects of two anesthetic methods (desflurane inhalation anesthesia vs. propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA)] on corrected QT interval (QTc) values during living donor liver transplantation. Altogether, 120 patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation were randomized to either the desflurane or TIVA group. The primary outcome was intraoperative QTc change. Other electrocardiogram, hemodynamic findings and postoperative outcomes were examined as secondary outcomes. QTc values were prolonged intraoperatively in both groups; however, the change was smaller in the TIVA group than in the desflurane group (P Group × Time < 0.001). More patients had QTc values of > 500 ms in the desflurane group than in the TIVA group (63.3% vs. 28.3%, P < 0.001). In patients with preoperative QTc prolongation, QTc was further prolonged in the desflurane group, but not in the TIVA group (P Group × Time < 0.001). Intraoperative norepinephrine and vasopressin use were higher in the desflurane group than in the TIVA group. Propofol-based TIVA may reduce QTc prolongation during living donor liver transplantation compared to that observed with desflurane inhalational anesthesia, particularly in patients with preoperative QTc prolongation. Additionally, patients managed with propofol-based TIVA required less vasopressor during the procedure as compared with those managed with desflurane inhalational anesthesia.