Objective

Patients with ischemic ventricular arrhythmia (IVA) in the form of fibrillation or tachycardia represent a surgical challenge. Evidence in the literature suggests that ventricular arrhythmia threatens survival even after cardiac surgery. We aim to review the results of our patients presenting with IVA with regard to short and long term outcome following cardiac surgery.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of data entered prospectively into our cardiac surgical database between January 1999 and September 2015. A total of 9609 patients underwent Cardiac Surgery which included 54 patients after surviving IVA. The short- and long-term outcomes were compared to a propensity matched group. Actuarial survival was calculated using Kaplan Meier analysis.

Results

The 54 study group patients were propensity matched on a 1:2 basis with a control group of non-IVA (n=108). The baseline preoperative characteristics and risk factors were similar between the 2 groups and all cases underwent CABG only. Univariate analysis showed pacing postoperatively (33.3 vs 66.7%;p=0.001), postoperative ventricular arrhythmia (10 vs 22.2%;p=0.039) and wound infections (12 vs 24.1%;p=0.032) to be significantly higher in the IVA group. Cox-multivariate analysis showed postoperative ventricular arrhythmia in either group (Hazard ratio=1.5) to be the only significant factor to impact mortality (p<0.001). Long term survival was not significantly different between the two group

Conclusion

Cardiac surgery on patients presenting with IVA can be performed safely yielding short and long term results equivalent to non IVA cases. These patients should not be denied surgery with consideration of good long term outcome.