Effect of epicardial application of amiodarone-releasing hydrogel on heart rate in an animal model

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a frequent complication after open heart surgery. According to the literature, POAF occurs in 30–65% of cardiosurgical patients. The occurrence of rhythm disturbances after open heart surgeries depends on the initial severity of the patient's condition, surgical intervention type, carefulness of monitoring and determination of what to consider as postoperative arrhythmia. POAF can be also caused by a number of reasons, among which: heart trauma, hypoxia, acidosis, autonomic regulation disorder, increased production of catecholamines, disturbance of water-electrolyte balance, pericarditis. Recently, the role of the inflammatory process in the pathogenesis of POAF has become more evident. The development of a systemic inflammatory response syndrome after cardiac surgery has a high frequency (1-3)