Paravertebral Block to Reduce the Incidence of New Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery

The purpose if this pilot study is to determine if a perioperative infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine via bilateral T3 paravertebral catheters can decrease the incidence of new onset atrial fibrillation following primary CABG and/or valve surgery and compare a number of secondary outcomes.

Patients in the intervention group will have ultrasound guided bilateral T3 paravertebral catheters placed prior to surgery. Prior to surgery, these patients will have 5ml of 1.5% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine injected in each catheter. Ropivacaine 0.2% will be administered via programmed intermittent bolus of 7ml every 60 minutes through each catheter during and after surgery. Patients in the control group will receive no block and undergo surgery with routine anesthetic care guided by their cardiac anesthesiologist.