2012 Volume 32 Issue 4 Pages 606-610
Arrhythmias during cardiac surgery are common. The anesthesiologist is often confronted in situations where the method and need for treatment depend on the context of the operation. If refractory arrhythmias should occur before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), initiation of CPB should be chosen rather than pharmacological approach or electrical defibrillation, while if refractory arrhythmias should occur at weaning of CPB, combinations of multiple approaches including pacing therapy, antiarrhythmic drugs, defibrillation and induction of percutaneous cardiopulmonary support, should be considered in order to stabilize hemodynamics.
