Association Between Echocardiographic Indices and Post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) was recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS). Finding an accurate method to identify patients with increased risk may prevent or lower the occurrence of the related complications. This study aimed to evaluate the association between interval of P-wave initiation in surface electrocardiogram, a-wave initiation in doppler study of mitral valve, MV annular velocity by TDI and compare them with conventional echocardiographic findings to investigate the associated factors related to the occurrence of AF in the first 72 hours after the CABGS. Four hundred and four patients with sinus rhythm, who were candidate for CABGS between June 2010 and July 2012 were examined before the surgery by conventional echocardiography and Tissue Velocity Imaging Methods and were monitored for 72 hours after surgery. Data collection and analysis were done by SPSS statistical software. The mean age of patients was 60 ± 9.9 years. Statistically significant relationship between the occurrence of AF with Mitral valve annulus, LA Volume Index (LAVI) , Right ventricle function, and type of surgery (off pump or on pump) were detected in our study (P < 0.05) . There was no statistically significant relationship between the occurrence of AF and time interval of P wave to A wave onset in conventional Doppler echocardiographic study (P-A), P-A′ onset and P-A’ peak in TDI examination (P > 0.05). Based on our findings, MV annulus, LAVI, RV function and on pump CABGS were independent factors related to the occurrence of AF post CABGS. Echocardiographic study associated with clinical data could be helpful for risk stratification of occurrence of post-operative AF.