Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 1, 2026
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Predictors of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Yan Guo1, Shengshou Hu, Qingyu Wu
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fu Wai Hospital and Cardiovascular Institute, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing 100037, China. guoyan@cmmail.com
Insights
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Advanced age, right coronary artery lesions, and early beta-blocker withdrawal predict AF. Beta-blockers and magnesium may prevent it.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent complication following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
- Identifying predictors of postoperative AF is crucial for patient management and risk stratification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the clinical factors that predict the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 322 patients undergoing isolated CABG.
- Collection and analysis of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data.
- Multivariate logistic regression to identify independent predictors of postoperative AF.
Main Results:
- AF occurred in 23.3% of patients, predominantly within the first three postoperative days.
- Independent predictors of AF included age ≥ 65 years (OR 2.7), right coronary artery lesions (OR 2.5), and early postoperative beta-blocker withdrawal (OR 3.9).
- Patients with AF were significantly older and had longer aortic crossclamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times.
Conclusions:
- Age and right coronary artery lesions are significant clinical predictors of postoperative AF after CABG.
- Early administration of beta-blockers and magnesium may be cost-effective strategies for preventing AF in the early postoperative period.
Objective:
To identify the clinical predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Methods:
322 consecutive patients who had undergone isolated CABG were reviewed. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data were collected. Patients were grouped according to whether AF appeared postoperatively.
Results:
AF occurred in 75 patients (23.3%). Most cases of AF (85.6%) appeared on or before the third postoperative day. The mean age for patients with AF was 62.5 years compared with 56.7 years for patients without AF (P < 0.05). The mean aortic crossclamp time for patients with AF was 67 min compared with 60.3 min for patients without AF (P < 0.05). The mean duration of cardiopulmonary bypass for patients with AF was 109.6 min compared with 97.3 min for patients without AF (P < 0.05). The mean duration of mechanical ventilation for patients with AF was 19.1 h compared with 15.7 h for patients without AF (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the following independent predictors of postoperative AF (P < 0.05): age > or = 65 years (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.5 to 5.1), lesions in the right coronary artery (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.4 to 4.5), and early postoperative withdrawal of beta blocker (OR 3.9; 95% CI 2.1 to 7.7).
Conclusions:
AF remains the most common complication after CABG. Age and lesions in the right coronary artery can influence the incidence of AF, and beta blocker and magnesium may be the most economical and effective prevention for AF early after CABG.
