Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia after Aortic Cross Clamp Release in Cardiac Surgeries

Ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT/VF) after aortic artery cross clamp release in cardiac surgery is common and the occurrence has been described but the incidence and risk factors are not well defined. This study was designed with the aim to evaluate the prevalence of VT/VF after aortic cross clamp release and to identify risk factors of patients developing such arrhythmias.

A retrospective observational study 1052 patients over a period of 12 months from March 2011 to February 2012 undergoing various cardiac surgeries with aortic cross clamp were monitored for new-onset ventricular tachyarrhythmia intraoperatively.

The prevalence of ventricular tachyarrhythmia was 24.4%. We found age above 30 years, increasing body mass index (BMI), valvular surgeries and male gender as risk factors for VT/VF after cross clamp release in cardiac surgeries.

Ventricular tachyarrhythmia is common following all cardiac surgeries, especially valvular heart diseases. There is a strong relationship between ventricular arrhythmias and age above 30 years, coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), high (BMI) and male gender. It is essential for intense monitoring of these patients.