Rolfes, Christopher David2014-11-032014-11-032012-08https://hdl.handle.net/11299/167431University of Minnesota Ph.D dissertation. August 2012. Major: Biomedical Engineering. Advisor: Paul A. Iaizzo. 1 computer file (PDF); xii, 261 pages.The intrapericardial delivery of antiarrhythmic drugs is very promising, with positive results seen in several animal models to date. The primary purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the efficacies of antiarrhythmic therapies delivered to the pericardial space so as to reduce susceptibility to arrhythmias during cardiothoracic procedures. To accomplish this, a swine model of localized therapy delivery was used to treat intraoperative atrial fibrillation, using metoprolol and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Metoprolol administered to the pericardial space had minimal effect on atrial fibrillation or atrial contractility, but significantly reduced heart rate. Certain formulations of fatty acids reduced atrial fibrillation and improved cardiac function upon reanimation in the Visible HeartenLocal drug deliveryOmega-3 fatty acidsPericardiumBiomedical engineeringThesis or Dissertation