Ciprofol and Remimazolam Preserve Arrhythmia Inducibility Comparable to Propofol During Pediatric Supraventricular Tachycardia Ablation: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Propofol remains a widely applied intravenous anesthetic in children. Newer agents, including ciprofol and remimazolam, produce little to no injection discomfort and maintain more consistent hemodynamics. This investigation assessed how these three drugs influence the ability to provoke arrhythmias in pediatric supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Clinical records of children with SVT who received radiofrequency ablation under general anesthesia between May 2020 and June 2024 were reviewed. After eliminating 28 cases, 173 remained for evaluation. Based on the intravenous anesthetic administered, participants were assigned to a propofol group (Group P), a ciprofol group (Group C), or a remimazolam group (Group R). The primary variable was the inducibility of arrhythmias, while secondary variables included ablation success, extubation duration, bispectral index (BIS), perioperative indicators, and postoperative nausea and vomiting.

The arrhythmia induction rates did not differ significantly among the three groups (97.40% vs 95.35% vs 94.34%) (P > 0.05). Similarities were also observed in secondary outcomes such as ablation success (P > 0.05), the requirement for isoprenaline (P > 0.05), recurrence (P > 0.05), and procedure duration (P > 0.05). Postoperative nausea and vomiting showed no notable variation. Except for baseline values, BIS readings in Group R exceeded those of Groups P and C at matching intervals (P < 0.05). Additionally, Group R demonstrated a shorter extubation time compared with Groups P and C. Ciprofol and remimazolam produced arrhythmia inducibility outcomes similar to propofol in children with supraventricular tachycardia. Both drugs appear suitable for use during radiofrequency ablation of pediatric SVT.