Incidence and Predisposing Factors of Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Abstract

Aim: In patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), devel-opment of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is related with more postoperative complications. In this study we aim to detect and try to control the most common predictors of POAF among our patients who underwent solely CABG operation. Material and Method: We retrospectively examined retrospectively the data of all the patients (n= 149) who had undergone CABG operation at our institution between 2008 and 2012. While evaluating the possible predisposing factors, we specifically investigated age, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, preoperative creatinine value, the number of postoperative erythrocyte suspension replacement, preoperative ejection fraction levels and the number of distal bypasses. Results: POAF occurred in 55 of 149 patients (36.9%). There was a significant correlation between advanced age and occurrence of POAF (p< 0.001). Among the patients with no-POAF the total hospital stay was 8.31 +/- 1.88 days, compared to 11.45 +/- 4.35 days in the POAF group (p< 0.001). In no-POAF group the mean postoperative intensive care unit (PICU) stay was 2.57 +/- 0.95 days, whereas in the POAF group the mean PICU stay was 5.13 +/- 3.20 days (p< 0.001). Discusion: It is important to accurately identify patients who are at greater risk for POAF and to take the required precautions pre-, intra-and postoperatively in order to decrease the mortality and morbidity related to POAF. These efforts can also help to prevent unnecessary drug use and their adverse effects, shortens the length of PICU and hospital stay and decrease amount of health expenses.