Management of postoperative arrhythmias

Abstract

Cardiac arrhythmias in the perioperative period are common and a major source of morbidity. The most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation (AF), occurs in 30-40% of patients after cardiac surgery, and in up to 4% of patients after noncardiac surgery. Such arrhythmias are responsible for increased length of hospital stay as well as increased healthcare costs. This chapter will address the diagnosis and treatment of perioperative arrhythmias and will suggest simple, cost-effective strategies for evaluation and prevention. As many patients undergoing general and cardiac surgical procedures have implanted arrhythmia control devices (pacemakers and/or defibrillators), this chapter will also discuss the perioperative care of these patients. © 2010 Springer-Verlag US.