Oľga Jurkovičová
Cardiac arrhythmias are common in the perioperative period. In the perioperative setting, arrhythmias often reflect the presence of many cardiac and noncardiac factors, which are often strongly linked each other. Noncardiac factors, such as autonomic imbalance, hypovolemia, hypoxemia, electrolyte and acid-base disturbances, infection, or other, play more significant role in the arrhythmias initiation during the perioperative period than in the period outside the surgery. Correction of this abnormalities and causal treatment of underlying cardiac disease is of the crucial importance in perioperative arrhythmias management and often more significant than therapy directed at arrhythmias themselves. Haemodynamically significant perioperative tachyarrhythmias should be immediately suppressed electrically or with intravenous antiarrhythmic drugs. Amiodarone is the most effective agent especially in suppression and prevention of recurrent malignant ventricular tachycardias. Ventricular extrasystoles and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia do not require antiarrhythmic treatment. Ajmaline, adenosine, verapamil, propafenone, or amiodarone should be used to the suppression of the paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias. In atrial fibrillation, heart rate control with betablockers, calcium channel blockers, digitalis or amiodarone is the most important therapeutic principle. Betablockers in addition to causal therapy of many triggering factors are the best mode to suppression of perioperative sinus tachycardia. Betablockers are also the most effective drugs to prevent perioperative arrhythmias as well as other cardiovascular complications and to reduce perioperative mortality.Perioperative bradyarrhythmias are most frequently caused by parasympathetic stimulation and commonly respond to administration of atropine, aminophylline or sympathomimetic drugs (isoproterenol, epinephrine). The most serious bradyarrhythmias, such as sick sinus syndrome or second and third degree AV block, are less frequently present in the perioperative setting. During perioperative period, the indications for pacemaker placement are generally the same as those in the period outside the surgery. Temporary pacemaker should be inserted only if the patient meets the criteria for permanent pacemaker implantation.