The incidence, predictors, and long-term outcomes of new-onset ventricular tachycardia after cardiac surgery

Abstract Background Incidence and outcomes of new-onset ventricular tachycardia (VT) after cardiac surgery are not fully evaluated. Purpose We retrospectively analyzed the occurrence of new-onset VTs after cardiac surgery, and their implications on short and long-term mortality. Methods Data of 11,004 adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery at our center from 2006 to 2016 were analyzed. VT was diagnosed when 3 or more consecutive wide QRS complexes (>100 bpm) were documented on ECG. The major study outcomes were in-hospital and 5-years overall mortality rates. Results During index hospitalization for cardiac surgery, clinical VTs were documented in 184 patients (1.7%), which included 74 sustained VTs (SusVT, ≥30 seconds) and 110 non-sustained VTs (NSVT). Those patients with SusVT and NSVT showed higher in-hospital mortality compared to those without VTs (31.1% vs. 24.5% vs. 2.0% for SusVT, NSVT, and no VT, respectively, P<0.001). During follow-up after discharge from index hospitalization, patients with SusVT showed higher 5-years mortality than those without VTs, while patients with NSVT did not showed significant differences (22.0% vs. 11.7% vs. 9.2%, P<0.001). In the subgroup of patients with sustained VT who were discharged from index hospitalization (n=51), those with recurrent VTs (>24 hours apart from initial episode) were at higher 5-years mortality rate compared to those without (40.7% vs. 15.8%, P=0.018). Conclusion Patients with SusVT and NSVT were at higher risk of in-hospital mortality, and patients with SusVT were associated with higher risk of long-term mortality. The mortality risk was even higher in those with recurrent episodes of VTs. Acknowledgement/Funding None