Tachyarrhythmias following coronary artery bypass graft surgery: epidemiology, mechanisms, and current therapeutic strategies

Abstract

The distribution pattern of perioperative complications of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is currently changing, due to the fact that it has become a routine operation with an increasing proportion of patients older than 70 years. Supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias are among the most commonly observed postoperative adverse events following CABG. The aim of this review is to give an update on epidemiology and mechanisms of postoperative arrhythmias and to present current diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies.