Intraoperative change in P-wave polarity, an accidental finding: Anaesthesiologist’s dilemma

Abstract

Arrhythmias are commonly observed in the intraoperative period. These could arise due to varied reasons and are treated accordingly. However certain situations are encountered where arrhythmias are transient and do not cause any haemodynamic instability. We report a case of 61 year old female posted for an orthopaedic procedure where intraoperative changing p wave polarity was noticed on monitor. Since, the patient was asymptomatic and haemodynamically stable, we decided to proceed with a spinal anaesthetic after much dilemma. The intraoperative period went uneventful with continued changes in p wave polarity.

Keywords

• Changing p wave polarity
• Intraoperative
• Anaesthesia