Postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: who should receive chemoprophylaxis?

To evaluate arrhythmogenic risk factors associated with greater incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery (CABG and/or valvular surgery) in order to identify those more prone to the development of this arrhythmia for possible chemoprophylaxis. Sixty-six patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery were assessed. The following risk factors for the development of POAF were correlated: advanced age, valvular heart disease (VHD), left atrial (LA) enlargement, left ventricular dysfunction (LVD), electrolyte imbalance (EI), previous CABG, prior use and withdrawal of beta-blockers (BB) and/or digitalis 24 hours before surgery). The incidence of AF was high (47%) in our study, most frequently on the first postoperative day. Sixty-four percent of the study sample was male, and the mean age was 62 years. Among patients with two or less risk factors for AF, only 24% developed arrhythmia, while the presence of three or more risk factors was associated with increased incidence of postoperative AF (69%), (p = 0.04). Age > 65 years (58% of the patients) was the most prevalent risk factor, followed by LA enlargement in 45% (p = 0.001), and VHD in 38% (p = 0.02). The presence of three or more risk factors increases significantly the incidence of this arrhythmia in the postoperative period after cardiac surgery. Among the primary risk factors are advanced age, left atrial enlargement, and valvular heart disease.