Intraoperative New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation With a Surprising Reason in a Whipple Operation

Abstract

For an anesthesiologist, it is important to manage the hemodynamics of patients who develop atrial fibrillation (AF) during the perioperative period. In a patient undergoing Whipple surgery, atrial fibrillation, which is thought to occur with an astonishing intraoperative cause has not been reported in the literature. There are multiple risk factors for the development of new onset AF such as older age, diabetes, hypertension, hypovolemia, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, and underlying heart disease, etc. But also, during surgery, direct irritation of diaphragmatic surface of the heart with retractor may trigger AF.