Postoperative cardiac arrest due to cardiac surgery complications

ABSTRACT

To examine the role of anesthetists in the management of cardiac arrest occurring in association with cardiac anesthesia. In this retrospective study we studied the potential performances for each of the relevant incidents among 712 patients undergoing cardiac operations at Golestan and Naft Hospitals Ahwaz between November 2006 and July 2008. Out of total 712 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, cardiac arrest occurred in 28 cases [3.9%] due to different postoperative complications. This included massive bleeding [50% of cardiac arrest cases, 1.9% of patients]; pulseless supra ventricular tachycardia [28.5% of cardiac arrest cases, 1.1% of patients]; Heart Failure [7% of cardiac arrest cases, 0.2% of patients]; Aorta Arc Rapture [3.5% of cardiac arrest cases, 0.1% of patients]; Tamponade due to pericardial effusion [3.5% of cardiac arrest cases, 0.1% of total patients]; Right Atrium Rupture [3.5% of cardiac arrest cases, 0.1% of patients] were detected after cardiac surgery. Out of 28 cases 7 deaths occurred [25% of cardiac arrest cases, 0.1% of patients]. The most prevalent reason for cardiac arrest during post operative phase was massive bleeding [50%] followed by pulseless supra ventricular tachycardia [28.5%]. Six patients had some morbidity and the remaining 15 patients recovered. There are often multiple contributing factors to a cardiac arrest under cardiac anesthesia, as much a complete systematic assessment of the patient, equipment, and drugs should be completed. We also found that the diagnosis and management of cardiac arrest in association with cardiac anesthesia differs considerably from that encountered elsewhere