3.3 In-hospital outcomes
One patient died of cerebral hernia on the fourth day postoperatively,
which may be associated with acute cerebral infarction, and surgical
mortality was 0.6%. Five (3.0%) patients developed complete
atrioventricular node block and required permanent pacemaker
implantation. Note that of the 5 patients, 3 had right bundle branch
block prior to surgery. Another 4 (2.4%) patients developed new-onset
atrial fibrillation, but all the 4 patients returned to sinus rhythm
following electrical cardioversion. A total of 167 patients were
discharged, and the median length of postoperative hospital stay was 6
days. The other postoperative complications are listed in Table 2.