Pharmacological cardioversion by nifekalant after release of the aortic cross‐clamp during cardiac surgery

Abstract

SummaryElectrical cardioversion is usually performed when ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation occur following the release of the aortic cross‐clamp during cardiopulmonary bypass. However, electrical cardioversion has been associated with myocardial damage. Pharmacological cardioversion for ventricular dysrhythmia in cardiac surgery may be advantageous. We report four successful cases of pharmacological cardioversion using nifekalant, a pure potassium‐channel blocker, for ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation following the release of aortic cross‐clamp during cardiac surgery. We argue that pharmacological cardioversion by nifekalant has certain advantages over electrical cardioversion because it may suppress myocardial damage.