Implications of Atrial Fibrillation after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Background- Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and is associated with an increased incidence of other complications and an increased hospital length of stay. Prevention of AF is a reasonable clinical goal. The aim of this study is to determine the predictive value of multiple clinical, hemodynamic and operative variables for the occurrence of postoperative AF. Methods- This research is a descriptive study. Patients scheduled for elective CABG between 1997 and 1999 were recruited. The patients underwent holter monitoring for 3 consecutive days. Information was collected by a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was based on the SPSS software and was done through the descriptive statistical method. Results- 200 patients underwent isolated CABG between 2001 and 2003. The patients with a mean age of 55±8 years old underwent holter monitoring for 3 days. AF occurred in 20% of the patients, postoperatively. 30% of the patients converted to sinus rhythm spontaneously, 60% converted with amiodarone and 10% of the patients required electric shock. Conclusion- Beta blockers are the first line of medication for the prevention of postoperative AF. The incidence of AF during the first postoperative week after CABG varies between 5-40%; prolonged mechanical ventilation after CABG significantly increases the incidence of postoperative AF