Association between arrhythmias and reduced red cell deformability following cardiopulmonary bypass

In 56 patients undergoing open-heart surgery, trauma to the red cells (reduced deformability) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was monitored by estimating reduction in red cell filtration rate (RFR). Treatment-requiring arrhythmias (atrial tachyarrhythmia and ventricular tachycardia) appearing more than 24 hours postoperatively were associated with RFR reduction after CPB. The incidence of arrhythmia was 31% in the patients with less than 25% fall in RFR, 53% in those with greater than 25% fall and 81% when the RFR reduction was greater than 75%. RFR fall preceded appearance of arrhythmia.