Post major lung resection cardiac arrhythmias

ABSTRACT

To describe the possible postoperative cardiac arrhythmias after major lung resection surgery performed for lung malignancies. This descriptive study was conducted from January 2007 to October 2009 at the Thoracic Surgery Division of the Royal Medical Services in Amman-Jordan. Forty-eight patients were included in this study. Patients with pre existing cardiac diseases were excluded. All the patients underwent different types of major lung resection surgery for primary and secondary lung malignancies. Postoperative cardiac arrhythmias after different types of lung resection surgery were documented and described. Simple descriptive statistics were used. The sample included 35 males [72.9%] and 13 females [27.1%]. Age ranged between 21 to 82 years [mean 56.6 +/- 14.9]. Left sided surgery was performed in 21 patients [43.7%], while right sided resections were performed in 27 patients [56.3%]. Lobectomy was the most commonly performed operation which was carried out in 27 patients [56.3%], followed by pneumonectomy which was performed in 14 patients [29.2%]. Post operative cardiac arrhythmias occurred among 19 patients [39.6%]. Atrial fibrillation was the most common reported arrhythmia which occurred in 15 patients [31.2%], followed by supra ventricular tachycardia in 2 patients [4.2%], and 2 patients developed atrial flutter [4.2%]. Cardiac arrhythmias were observed to be more common after lobectomy or pneumonectomy, in old male patients, and during the first 48 hours post lung resection. Post major lung resection cardiac arrhythmias are common. Preoperative evaluation and postoperative cardiac monitoring are mandatory in these patients even among those without pre existing cardiac diseases