title: Posterior pericardiotomy reduces the incidence of supra-ventricular arrhythmias following coronary artery bypass surgery.
abstract: A prospective study of 100 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery was performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of a posterior pericardiotomy in reducing the incidence of pericardial effusions and, consequently, reducing the incidence of supraventricular arrhythmias in the post-operative period. Pericardial effusion occurred in 4 of 50 patients following a posterior pericardiotomy, whereas effusion occurred in 20 of 50 patients in whom a pericardiotomy was not created (P < 0.0005). Supra-ventricular arrhythmias occurred in 4 patients in the pericardiotomy group and 18 in the group treated without pericardiotomy (P < 0.005). No complications resulted from this procedure. We conclude that pericardiotomy is a simple, safe and effective method for reducing the incidence or pericardial effusion and thereby post-operative supra-ventricular arrhythmias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Bristol Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mulay
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Angelini
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wisheart
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hutter
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010492:Pericardiectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome