@entity955 : successful treatment of postoperative XXXX .

@entity1 @entity64 @entity86 @entity955 @entity943
BACKGROUND: @entity955 is the most common complication after cardiac surgery. Current medical treatment using antiarrhythmics and anticoagulants has a significant morbidity. The goal of this study was to determine if epicardial @entity955 can be safely performed and return @entity1 to sinus rhythm. METHODS: A prospective analysis of @entity1 undergoing cardiac surgery was performed. @entity1 with a prior pacemaker/defibrillator, history of @entity943 , preoperative antiarrhythmic, age greater than 85 years, history of @entity64 , or intraaortic balloon pump were excluded. @entity955 wires were placed on the right and left atrium. Bipolar atrial and ventricular pacing wires were also placed. The wires were tested in the operating room. @entity1 who went into @entity86 were cardioverted with 3 J, 6 J, or 9 J. RESULTS: There were 45 @entity1 enrolled. Sixteen @entity1 (35%) went into @entity86 during their hospital stay. Mean time to onset of @entity955 was 2.6 +/- 1.4 days after surgery. Fifteen @entity1 were successfully cardioverted to sinus rhythm on the primary cardioversion, with mean of 5.7 +/- 2.4 J. One @entity1 was cardioverted at 6 hours after onset of @entity955 , at 6 J. Recurrent @entity955 occurred in 4 @entity1 during their hospital stay. All 4 of these @entity1 were cardioverted with a mean of 6.4 +/- 2.6 J. All wires were removed the day before @entity1 were discharged. There were no complications with wire insertion or removal. There were no adverse neurologic events. The mean hospital stay was 5.1 +/- 2.2 days. All @entity1 were in sinus rhythm at 1 month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a temporary atrial defibrillator to resynchronize @entity1 in @entity86 is safe and effective.
