The triggering of ventricular arrhythmias, by a host of factors has been well known in the peri-operative period. We report an unusual case of ventricular ectopics and tachycardia in the pre-induction phase precipitated by an anxiety in an apprehensive patient undergoing elective cholecystdctomy. The onset of ventricular tachycardia in patients undergoing anaesthesia is a frightening occurrence regardless of the precipitating factors.
Patients undergoing surgery tend to be anxious.
Anxiety if significantly marked causes all the signs of sympathetic stimulation and stress. This report describes a case in which ventricular tachycardia was encountered in the preinduction period in an anxious patient. She was diagnosed as a case of chronic cholecystitis with cholelithiasis and a laparoscopic cholecystectomy was planned for her. 25 mg once a day and aspirin 325 mg twice a day. There were no other significant complaints.