Selective use of amiodarone and early cardioversion for postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in 20%-40% of patients undergoing open-heart surgery. Numerous pharmacological and electrical therapies have been used as a prophylaxis to prevent this dysrhythmia. The purpose of this study was to examine the selective use of amiodarone and early cardioversion (CVN) postoperatively to restore normal sinus rhythm (NSR).

Ventricular assist device support for management of sustained ventricular arrhythmias.

We describe herein the cases of 2 patients who had ventricular arrhythmias. In one, a short-term biventricular assist device, the ABIOMED BVS 5000, was placed because the patient had sustained ventricular tachycardia and could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass. Excellent hemodynamic support was maintained for several days while the antiarrhythmic therapy was maximized.