Anesthesia Knowledge Test-6 (AKT-6) Practice

Halothane is known to cause some level of blockade at the sinoatrial (SA) node. This effect can lead to a decrease in heart rate and can contribute to the overall cardiovascular effects seen with this anesthetic. Halothane has been associated with a higher incidence of cardiac arrhythmias compared to other volatile anesthetics, primarily due to its ability to sensitize the myocardium to catecholamines and affect conduction through the SA node.

The other anesthetics listed tend to have different cardiovascular profiles. Sevoflurane and desflurane are less likely to cause significant effects on heart rate through SA nodal blockade and are generally considered to have a more stable cardiovascular profile. Isoflurane can also have some cardiovascular effects, but it is not typically characterized by a direct blockade at the SA node. This distinct action of halothane makes it the most noted among the listed volatile anesthetics for affecting SA node function.