Postoperative arrhythmias in colorectal surgical patients: incidence and clinical correlates.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence and clinical correlates of postoperative cardiac arrhythmias in patients undergoing elective large bowel resection.


METHODS
Fifty-one consecutive patients undergoing elective open colorectal resection were recruited for this prospective observational study. Participating patients underwent daily three-lead electrocardiograms postoperatively. Data regarding potential risk factors for arrhythmias were recorded. Post-operative complications were recorded.


RESULTS
Thirteen (26%) patients developed a postoperative arrhythmia, most commonly atrial fibrillation. Significant univariate correlates with postoperative arrhythmias were: age (P<0.01), hypertension (P<0.01), pre-operative serum potassium levels (P<0.01), postoperative pulmonary oedema (P=0.03), postoperative serum potassium (P=0.03) and sodium (P<0.01). Arrhythmia patients were more likely to have other complications (P=0.02). Thirty-one percent of arrhythmia patients had underlying sepsis compared with 18% of controls (P=0.38).


CONCLUSIONS
Arrhythmias are common following elective large bowel resection. They occur in older patients and are associated with the development of other complications.
Walsh
S R
SR
Department of General Surgery, Arrowe Park Hospital, Upton, UK.
Oates
J E
JE
Anderson
J A
JA
Blair
S D
SD
Makin
C A
CA
Walsh
C J
CJ
D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric