Thoracic Epidural Bupivacaine Attenuates Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmias After Pulmonary Resection

Abstract

We examined whether postoperative thoracic sympathetic blockade by thoracic epidural bupivacaine after pulmonary resection might reduce the tachyarrhythmias that may result from the relative sympathotonic status produced by injury to the cardiac parasympathetic nerves. The continuous infusion of thoracic epidural bupivacaine was shown to reduce supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.