[Atrial fibrillation in postoperative cardiac surgery. Prevalence and hospitalized period]

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder after cardiac surgery. In previous studies it has been associated with prolonged hospitalization, increased costs and mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgery and its impact on the hospitalization period. Medical records of consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, valvular, or both) between January 2006 and November 2008 were included and retrospectively analyzed. Primary outcome was the presence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. The sample was divided into two groups, with and without atrial fibrillation in the postoperative. The clinical variables and length of hospital stay were compared between both groups. A total of 172 patients underwent surgery in this period. Seven patients were excluded from analysis due to lack of data. The mean age was 64.2 +/- 9.5 years, and they were predominantly male. Atrial fibrillation was the most common complication (23.6%). The average length hospital stay was 6.7 +/- 4.6 days. There were no significant differences between both groups, with atrial fibrillation (7.5 +/- 4.1 days), and without (6.5 +/- 4.7 days), p = 0.21. The presence of atrial fibrillation did not prolong hospitalization. Probably, such strategy of prevention would not be cost-effective.