Effects Of Dexmedetomidine On Postoperative Arrhythmias In Patients After Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Objective:To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on postoperative arrhythmias and other cardiovascular complications in patients after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB).Methods:For this retrospective study,753 patients of both sexes,aged 18-84 year,who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB from September 2013 to May 2015 at Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University,were divided into 2 groups according to whether intravenous dexmedetomidine were received in surgical procedures:control group(Group C,n = 548)and dexmedetomidine group(Group D,n = 205).Propensity score matching analysis with preset caliper width was used.A total of 197 matched pairs were selected from the patients.Preoperative data included age,sex,weight,height,medical record information,and preoperative medications.Intraoperative data included length of operation time,surgical procedure performed,cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB)use and length of time,and aortic cross-clamp length of time.The primary outcome measured was.the incidence of arrhythmia.Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality,incidence of acute renal failure,incidence of pulmonary infection,length of stay in intensive care unit,length of stay in hospital,and incidence of 30-day readmission.Results:753 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB were divided into 2 groups according to whether intravenous dexmedetomidine were received in surgical procedures:control group(Group C,n = 548)and dexmedetomidine group(Group D,n =205).Propensity score matching analysis with preset caliper width was used.A total of 197 matched pairs were selected from the patients.Compared with controls,subjects in the dexmedetomidine group had significantly fewer tachyarrhythmias(P<0.01),supraventricular tachyarrhythmias(P<0.01),and in-hospital mortality(P<0.05).However,the risk of other cardiovascular complications were not significantly different between two groups.Conclusion:Perioperative use of dexmedetomidine decreases the incidence of tachyarrhythmia and in-hospital mortality after cardiac surgery with CPB without significant adverse effects.