Predictive factors of supraventricular arrhythmias after noncardiac thoracic surgery: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND Supraventricular cardiac arrhythmias are the most common rhythm disturbances in patients following thoracic surgery. The purpose of our study was to determine which of the clinical parameters are the most valuable in predicting postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) after lung surgery. METHODS Retrospective analysis was carried out on 987 patients after noncardiac thoracic surgery to define the prevalence, associated risk factors, and clinical course of postoperative arrhythmias. There were 822 men and 165 women, age 34 to 78 years (mean age: 61 ± 8 years). The patients were divided into two groups depending on the occurrence or absence of supraventricular arrhythmia. Group I consisted of 876 patients who were free from rhythm disturbances. The remaining 111 patients exhibited episodes of supraventricular arrhythmia (29 supraventricular tachycardia; 82 AF). These 111 patients were placed in Group II. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in age, previous history of heart disease, and lung resection, especially pneumonectomy. CONCLUSION Age, history of prior heart disease, lung resection, and the extent of pulmonary resection are the main risk factors for postoperative supraventricular arrhythmia in patients undergoing major thoracic operations.