Risk factors for early postoperative arrhythmias in general surgery patients after general anesthesia

Introduction. Early post-operative arrhythmias after general anesthesia are serious clinical problems for a significant portion of surgical patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the risk factors for the onset of post-operative arrhythmias in general surgery patients undergoing general anesthesia. Methods. In this case-control study, the cases were patients with at least one episode of arrhythmias in the first 24 hours after general anesthesia (n=56), and the controls were sex and age matched surgical patients (n=91) without post-operative arrhythmias. Results. A history of cardiac arrhythmias in the last 5 years was a significant risk factor for early post-operative arrhythmias (ORadjusted 8.43; CI 2.67, 27.13; p = 0.000). Early post-operative arrhythmias occurred more frequently if the patient had a history of cardiac arrhythmias and intra-operative arrhythmias occurred. A history of cardiac arrhythmias and the use of propofol for the induction of anesthesia were also significant. Conclusions. In patients with a history of arrhythmias in the last 5 years, general anesthesia should not be induced by propofol.