Predictors of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is common both after cardiothoracic and noncardiothoracic surgery. In patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery, an incidence of 16–46% has been reported depending on the extent of postoperative monitoring used and the specific surgical procedures. Even though POAF can be self-limiting, it may be associated with hemodynamic derangements, postoperative stroke, perioperative myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmias, and heart failure. Therefore, we conducted our prospective cohort study to determine the effect of certain predictors on the incidence of POAF during the ICU stay after CABG. We included 123 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing CABG. Most of them were smoker male with mean age 57.4 ±8.7 years. The incidence of POAF was reported in 41 (33.3%) patients. Regarding POAF predictors, there were statistically significant associations between POAF and older age (p =0.031) and higher LA diameter (p <0.001). Patients with POAF were significantly older and had higher LA diameter. In contrary, there was no statistically significant difference between POAF and non-POAF groups in terms of Potassium level at any time points (p >0.05). Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference between POAF and non-POAF groups in terms of Magnesium level at any time points (p >0.05). There was statistically significant association between POAF and sex (p <0.001); patients with POAF were more likely to be females.