Abstract
Background: Antiarrhythmic medications are an important tool in preventing recurrence of intraoperative and postoperative arrhythmias.
Objective: To review current literature and recommendations for perioperative management of antiarrhythmic medications.
Methods: Literature review is presented along with the pharmacology of antiarrhythmics.
Results: Antiarrhythmic medications should be continued perioperatively for the prevention of arrhythmias intra- and postoperatively. However, beta blockers have had controversies regarding their perioperative safety profile.
Conclusion: Continuation of antiarrhythmic medications is safe perioperatively. However, initiation of beta blockers should be patient-tailored and titrated to a target heart rate in advance surgery.
Keywords: Antiarrhythmics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, medication management, perioperative care, potassium channel blockers, sodium channel blockers, surgery.
Graphical Abstract