Table 1. Summary of Data^‡

*P < 0.001 versus  levobupivacaine and versus  ropivacaine.

†P < 0.001 versus  baseline.

‡P < 0.005 versus  baseline.

§ P < 0.05 versus  baseline.

∥ Two hearts in the bupivacaine group had episodes of bigeminy.

E⁰= basal QRS duration; ΔQRS5 and ΔQRS20 = observed absolute increase in QRS duration, respectively, at the end of the first infusion (5 min) and at the end of the second infusion (20 min); Block = intraventricular block, i.e. , lack of ventricular electric activity during at least one cardiac cycle despite pacing; PVC = premature ventricular contraction; VT = ventricular tachycardia lasting more than six consecutive beats.