Supraventricular Tachycardia Complicating Surgical Procedures

Abstract

Persistent postoperative supraventricular tachycardia, despite adequate therapy, is a bad prognostic sign, and cardiac failure due to, or associated with, arrhythmia responds poorly to treatment. Of the 12 patients (24 per cent) resistent to therapy, eight developed congestive heart failure, with five dying as a result. The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative factors contributing to the causes of this complication are reviewed, and the therapy, course and end results are discussed.T HE OCCURRENCE of supraventricular tachycardia during and following surgical procedures is a relatively infrequent but dangerous complication. Several case reports emphasizing its importance following chest surgery have been published,1-3 but little is known of the incidence and behavior of such arrhythmias in other types of surgery.4 ,1,1 We have studied these arrhythmias as they developed during the operative and postoperative course of 50 patients (54 instances of arrhythmia) with particular reference to: (1) underlying and precipitating causes; (2) course of the arrhythmia, including its response to treatment; and (3) the influence of the complication upon the surgical outcome and subsequent cardiac status.

Post-operative atrial fibrillation: a maze of mechanisms

“…36,37 In non-cardiac, non-thoracic surgery, POAF occurs relatively infrequently (0.37% for ophthalmic surgery up to 13% for large colorectal surgery). 25–30 After thoracic surgery POAF is more frequent, with reported incidences of 9–29%.…”

Management of a Patient with Sudden Onset of Intra Operative Atrial Fibrillation Posted for Emergency Evacuation of Clot Following TURP Operation Under SAB

“…1,3 Roger et al reported that overall incidence of supraventricular tachycardia was estimated to be less than 1% and in those with an SVT, the incidence of AF and atrial flutter was 30% and 12%, respectively with only 20% of arrhythmias occuring intraoperatively. 4 The aim of this particular case report is to review the management strategies of atrial fibrillation with particular attention given on the management of perioperative atrial fibrillation and prevent further complications. Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia occurring in 0.4-5% of adult population and most of these are not associated with any cardiac disease.…”