Atrial fibrillation after operation for lung cancer: clinical and prognostic significance

Background. Atrial fibrillation is a common complication of early postoperative period in lung cancer thoracotomy. Its clinical incidence and short- and long-term impact on overall mortality has never been definitely assessed; moreover, it is unclear whether the arrhythmia represents an independent cardiac risk factor. Methods. We prospectively studied 233 consecutive patients undergoing operation for lung cancer (170 with non–small-cell lung cancer). Postoperative atrial fibrillation incidence was related to different clinical factors possibly involved in its occurrence and to both short- and long-term survival. Results. Atrial fibrillation occurred in 28 patients (12%) (same percentage in non–small-cell lung cancer); a strong relationship was observed between arrhythmia and age, history of hypertension and associated lymph node resection. The mean hospitalization time was 14 ± 4 days in patients developing atrial fibrillation and 13 ± 4 days in those who did not (p = not significant). No difference was observed between the two groups with regard to short- or long-term mortality or to long-term atrial fibrillation recurrences, also when considering the entire population and only non–small-cell lung cancer, separately. Conclusions. At our institution, early atrial fibrillation occurrence after operation for lung cancer does not show any negative impact on short- and long-term mortality or on recurrence rate.