Conversion of atrial flutter to sinus rhythm during landiolol infusion

Alteration of fatal 1:1 conducted atrial flutter to less conducted ratio by landiolol infusion

An 84-year-old male patient with a past history of atrial-flutter-fibrillation and dementia underwent an urgent femoral neck fracture surgery. Preoperative electrocardiography demonstrated atrial flutter (AFL) with ventricular conduction at a ratio of 2:1-4:1, and transthoracic echocardiography showed severe left ventricular dysfunction with Ejection Fraction of 14.6 %. Femoral nerve block and Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block with sedation was planned for the surgery. Upon entry to the operating room, ECG showed 2:1 conducted AFL at the rate of 128 beats min(-1). Due to the stimulation of urethral catheter insertion, it has altered to 1:1 conducted AFL. Loading dose of landiolol hydrochloride 7.5 mg followed by 1.5-3 μg/kg/min continuous administration was given, which had decreased the conduction ratio to 2:1 without causing hypotension. A further episode of 1:1 conducted AFL occurred when the pin was inserted to the thighbone, which caused circulatory collapse. Additional bolus dose of landiolol immediately altered it to 2:1 before operating cardioversion and stabilized the hemodynamics. He maintained AFL with 2:1 conduction thereafter, and 1:1 conduction was never seen postoperatively even after discontinuation of landiolol.

Very-low-dose continuous drip infusion of landiolol hydrochloride for postoperative atrial tachyarrhythmia in patients with poor left ventricular function

Three patients with poor left ventricular function (left ventricular ejection fraction <30 %) developed postoperative atrial tachyarrhythmia in intensive care. Case 1 was a 64-year-old man who underwent a modified Bentall procedure and mitral valve annuloplasty. Case 2 was a 63-year-old woman who underwent quintuple coronary artery bypass grafting. Case 3 was a 65-year-old man who underwent mitral valve replacement. Preoperative intra-aortic balloon pumping was required in Cases 2 and 3. Excellent heart rate control with no hemodynamic deterioration was achieved in all three cases by very-low-dose continuous drip infusion of landiolol hydrochloride (2-5 μg/kg/min). Very-low-dose continuous drip infusion of landiolol hydrochloride is a safe and useful alternative for the control of perioperative atrial tachyarrhythmias in patients with poor left ventricular function.