Supraventricular Tachycardia Complicating Surgical Procedures

Abstract

Persistent postoperative supraventricular tachycardia, despite adequate therapy, is a bad prognostic sign, and cardiac failure due to, or associated with, arrhythmia responds poorly to treatment. Of the 12 patients (24 per cent) resistent to therapy, eight developed congestive heart failure, with five dying as a result. The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative factors contributing to the causes of this complication are reviewed, and the therapy, course and end results are discussed.