Arrhythmias in Postoperative Non-Cardiothoracic Surgical Patients at ICU of PUMHS, Nawabshah

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of various cardiac arrhythmias in general postsurgical patients in surgical ICU in our local setup. Study Design: Cross Sectional Study. Place and Duration: Surgical Intensive Care Unit of Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences (PUMHS), Nawabshah from July2014 to December 2014. Material &. Methods: The study was conducted on 118 adult patients of both sexes who went for major general surgery and were shifted in ICU for postoperative care, were included in this study. Daily ECG and continuous cardiac monitoring for 72hrs were used to note for occurrence of any arrhythmia. Results: Total 11 patients were studied. 72 patients were male. Arrhythmias were recorded in 46 patients, among these 18 were female patients. Most common arrhtythmia was atrial fibrillation encountered in 22. patients. This was followed by atrial ectopic beats in 12 patients. Ventricular ectopic beats were present in 9 patients. 2 patients suffered from Supraventricular tachycardia. One patient was having runs of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Conclusion: Postoperative arrhythmias are commonly seen in general surgical patients. Atrial fibrillation is most frequent among these arrhythmias.