Postoperative arrhythmia after operation of esophageal cancer

The postoperative arrhythmias (exclusive of sinus tachycardia) was reviewed in 77 patients (male: 69, female: 8, mean age: 63.9 years) who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma. The results were as follows: 1. The incidence of postoperative arrhythmias in all patients but seven who had preoperative chronic atrial fibrillation (af) or pacemaker rhythm was 47.1%, and af was observed most frequently (45.5%). Postoperative arrhythmias occurred in patients with abnormal preoperative electrocardiographic findings more often than in those with normal preoperative electrocardiographic findings (53% vs 41%). The incidence of postoperative arrhythmias in aged patients (> or = 66 years old) was significantly higher than that in younger patients (< or = 65 years old) (64% vs 35%, p < 0.05). Other risk factors for postoperative arrhythmias were sex and history of hypertension. 2. Postoperative arrhythmias occurred more often in patients who underwent blunt dissection of the thoracic esophagus and reconstruction using the whole stomach via the posterior mediastinal route than in those who underwent esophagectomy with right thoracotomy and reconstruction using the gastric tube via the poststernal route (60.0% vs 45.0%). 3. Most supraventricular premature contractions and ventricular premature contractions occurred immediately after surgery or on the first postoperative day, and af often occurred during the first postoperative night or the second postoperative day. 4. For treatment, various antiarrhythmic agents were administered according to the patient's condition. Glucose-insulin-kalium therapy was especially effective (63%). None of the arrhythmias was fatal.