[Arrhythmias in the pulmonary exeresis postoperative period]

To determine the frequency of episodes of cardiac arrhythmia during the period following elective exeresis of the pulmonary parenchyma (pneumonectomies, double and single lobectomies), and to study the temporal patterns of occurrence and the association of arrhythmia and certain risk factors.

Retrospective analysis of data recorded in the case histories of 100 patients admitted to the postoperative intensive care unit (PICU) between November 1991 and March 1995.

We monitored changes in heart rate after surgery by continuous electrocardiography in 38 of the 100 patients (38%). Changes were more common in certain subgroups: older patients, those with preoperative cardiovascular and electrocardiographic abnormalities, and those who needed prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation. Most arrhythmias were supraventricular (97.3%), the most common being atrial fibrillation (55.3%). Most diagnoses of arrhythmia (87%) were made within the first three days after surgery. Several drugs were used for treatment, based on the diagnosing anesthesiologist's criteria. Digitalis was the drug most often prescribed. Seven patients (7%) died in the PICU. Three were discharged with atrial fibrillation with ventricular response of less than 100 beats per minute. Postoperative cardiac arrhythmia was a direct cause of death of only one patient, who had ventricular fibrillation upon admission to the PICU.