Perioperative Arrhythmia Prophylaxis for Major Lung Resection

Perioperative arrhythmia is one of the most common complications following general thoracic surgery and carries significant morbidity. Although there is no direct cause and effect relationship between development of perioperative supraventricular arrhythmia and other post-operative complications, it has been shown that the development of an arrhythmia is associated with increased length of stay, morbidity, and mortality. The identification of risk factors for perioperative atrial arrhythmias is crucial in order to direct prophylactic measures to the appropriate patients. Amiodarone and diltiazem significantly reduce the rate of postoperative atrial arrhythmias after major lung resection.