The effects of posterior pericardiotomy on pericardial effusion, tamponade, and atrial fibrillation after coronary artery surgery

Kardiochirurgia i torakochirurgia polska = Polish journal of cardio-thoracic surgery
Mehmet KayaErsin Erek

Abstract

Pericardial effusion and atrial fibrillation occur commonly after coronary artery surgery. A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of posterior pericardiotomy on the occurrence of pericardial effusion, tamponade, and atrial fibrillation. The study group consisted of 96 patients (77 male and 19 female) at a mean age of 58.1 ± 9.8 years. The patients were randomly assigned to one of three study groups: patients undergoing posterior pericardiotomy (group I, n = 30), controls (group II, n = 33), and patients with additional posterior pericardial drainage tubes (28 mm) who did not undergo posterior pericardiotomy (group III, n = 33). Postoperative hospitalization (p = 0.03; 11.56 ± 10.64) and reoperation due to tamponade (p = 0.019; 12.1%) were significantly higher in group II. Extensive pericardial effusions were detected in one patient on the first postoperative day (group II, n = 1), in one patient on the fifth postoperative day (group III, n = 1), and in one patient on the 30(th) day after the operation (group III, n = 1). Pericardial effusion exhibited regression in group I on postoperative day 30 (p = 0.028). A higher rate of postoperative atrial fibrillation was noted in group I, but no s...Continue Reading

Methods Mentioned

BETA
coronary artery surgery
dissecting

Software Mentioned

NCSS ( Number Cruncher Statistical System )

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