Echocardiographic predictors of atrial fibrillation after mitral valve replacement

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common arrhythmia after cardiac surgery, with an incidence of 33% to 49% (1). POAF is considered benign and without serious consequences, but it is associated with increased early and late mortality after mitral valve replacement (2). Most studies have focused on POAF after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or aortic valve replacement. Thus emerged the importance of detecting the incidence and determinants of atrial fibrillation (AF) after mitral valve surgery. The aim was to detect the echocardiographic predictors of POAF in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease undergoing mitral valve replacement. It was single center, prospective, clinical trial that was conducted from August 2015 to May 2016. The study included 50 patients (after excluding 21 patients) with rheumatic mitral valve disease and sinus rhythm who were eligible for mitral valve replacement. Consent from the patients and approval from Ethical Committee were obtained